Re: Pakistan announced 18 member squad: Hameed, Gul, Mohmand in
Asim Kamal's recent form has been less than mediocre to say the least, yet he is in the team for a very good reason, he has the potential to deliver when needed. Sadly, same treatment has not been accorded to players like Bazid or Misbah, both have delivered on the domestic front and have shown a commitment which makes them able candidates for selection to the national team. Inzimam praised Rafatullah Md as a bat with potential, if one compares his batting performance in the domestic circuit some serious questions need to be asked. Rafat started his career in the 1996/97 calendar year and has since averaged 28.6 runs with 6 centuries and 9 fifities. Compare that to Misbah who started his first class cricketing career in 1998/99 and has since averaged 48.75 runs with 22 centuries and 34 fifties. Given Inzimam's experience one should trust his judgement, but domestic records speak otherwise.
Not all players will hit a century or a fifty on their debute, newcomers must be given a fair chance, the same opportunity which was given to Shoaib Malik by playing him three test series as a opener. Bazid and Misbah can consider themselves to be treated unfairly for good reasons.
had the old Kartoos policy been adopted by Pakistan, Imran Khan wud have never made it back into the side, so lets be objective in our arguments.
I will like Rafat to suceed where others have failed cause Pakistan certainly needs a regular opening pair.