Mohsin questions selection criteria for World Twenty20
Mohsin Khan. -Photo by AFP
LAHORE: Former chief selector and coach Mohsin Khan has expressed his surprise over the criteria adopted for selection of Pakistan squads for the three T20 matches against Australia as well as for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, announced this week.
“If the selectors are giving preference to the players’ performance in the Bangladesh Premier League and English county cricket, then all first-class cricket in Pakistan should be abolished,” Mohsin said while speaking candidly with Dawn.
The former opener said youngster Ahmed Shehzad, who had a successful tour of Sri Lanka had been sidelined on flimsy grounds. Moreover, he said the omission of medium-fast Junaid Khan and left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman were also quite disappointing.
The PCB startled critics and fans by naming both the squads on Tuesday despite the fact that 40 days are still left before the Australia series commences on Aug 28 in the UAE.
“I am surprised that the team was announced so early because still there is a lot of time left for the Aussie series. It has been reported in the media that the team was named in haste because coach [Dav] Whatmore had to leave for Australia which means the coach has the final say in the selection of the team and not the selection committee,” he said.
“Another surprising thing is the impression given by the selectors that experience has been preferred over youth to ensure good show in the World T20. I always thought that the Twenty20 was a game for the youngsters but the selectors seem to know better.
“However, I would say that while Raza Hasan is a very promising bowler, Abdur Rehman should have been preferred over him because I feel he has approved himself as a great asset in all the three formats.”
Mohsin also claimed that a few of the players named in the squads have doubts over their fitness but they still have been selected.
“The PCB could have organised a quick T20 tournament in Ramazan to test the fitness of the all the players,” said Mohsin.
He praised the inclusion of Kamran Akmal and Asad Shafiq, hoping both would boost the team’s performance in the global event.
“Although I am disappointed with some of the selections and some omissions, my sincere wishes are with the Pakistan team to win all the matches ahead,” he concluded.
I am not sure if Kamran akmal will be playing as a batsman or wicket keeper batsman. We can not purely play him as a batsman because shahzad is better batsman than him so if we are playing him as wicket keeper batsman than his performance with the gloves was really bad when his reflexes were better than it is now. I also think umar akmal can do a batting and keeping the t20 so Kamran akmal was not needed. I think razzaq and Imran nazir is included because Pakistan performance in the last 10 overs was very bad against SL when they were unable to hit malinga and Co even afridi and umar akmal, two of the pakistan's best player, were playing. I think with this selection, hafiz has to come one down but I would like to see umar akmal playing one down so where hafiz should be playing. If hafiz comes one down then where shafiq is going to bat as he is not a hitter and you can not leave him till the end. batting order will be a bit of a nightmare if they do it properly.
Because of Mohsin Pkaistan is now in the top 4 cricket playing nation. They will qualify for world test series if they remain in top four till the test series begins in 2013.
Question about Junaid Khan is valid. But what about Kamral akmal as a wicket-keeper once again. We lost the WC-2011 because of Kamral Wicket-keeping.
It's not that just Mohsin Khan has concerns. This has been a horrible selection. Bringing back Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal is an absolute joke. There is a time when a cricketer should realize that his time is over, unfortunately Razzaq (and a few others) refuse to accept that fact. Razzaq has become a player who would perform in 1 game out of every 10 played.
In reference to Kamran Akmal, it has been abundantly clear that he is a person who likes to play politics, therefore having someone like him is bad for the team. Additionally, if he is going to keep certainly catches will be dropped and that would nullify whatever big score he achieves in batting.
Another bad selection is Asad Shafiq, he is not a T-20 material and can not hit if he happen to be in the lower order.
Shahid Afridi is another case who is just in the team because of his big name, his recent (2-3 yrs) form is at the lowest level of his career.
Can anyone give the justification to select Shoaib Malik, I think he is only playing because of other talent than Cricket.
Asad Shafiq in Twenty20's? I guess I am blind.
I think team selected for T20 format seems to be good on paper.There are some questions about the fitness of some players, I hope their fitness has been judged before selection.There are couple of omission in selection.Specially Junaid Kha and Ahmed Shehzad.I hope they will review selection after performance against Australia.Most important thing is how the captain utilize so many alrounders.I personaly prefer to go with Nasir Jamshed and Imran Nazir to open the inning for Pakistan.If early wicket fall then Hafiz should go as one down otherwise Kamran Akmal should go.Asad Shafiq and Umar Akmal should be sent as per situation.We should use our sloggar like Afridi and Razzaq very inteligently.We should keep a batsman like Shoaib Malik to deal with fast bowlers at the end.Every player has to perform as a batsman,bowler and fielder if we want to be a champion.Batting order and bowling change should not be routine but as per situation in match.Go Paki our prayers are with you.
I think just names and past background o players was the criteria for selection.I just question the exclusion of Hammad Azam , he is genuine all rounder and can play for pakistan for long.WIth all the other teams trying young blood in t20 we are going back to old horses again.
Just lokk at sri lanka they have developed angelo mathews and parera as all rounders.
To some extent Mohsin is right, but we have to wait and see the performance of Razaq and Imran as this year they have performed well.
It's great to see Abdul Razzaq back in the team; he has delivered so much at times when matters the most. Still he had been kept out in recent past from many events where he could prove to be a destructive force. He is also one of the few players who have never been involved in any countroversy. He is a true gentleman and a role model. It will be a pleasure seeing him at the crease again!
I don't like mohsin, he talks a lot….He is not the selector. Its the selector's job to select the team and they have done that. Its not his job to select the team.If you have problems with the selection than remove the selectors.
My contention is, why is there such a limited pool of players in Pakistan, a country with huge population, or is it a favouratism for just 50 to 60 players, who are rotated to justity their selection after a debacle.
Mohsin is correct, this is not normal selection. I think the selectors, dave and Mr Zaka all are CONFUSED. They just want to get results SOMEHOW ? and make a name for themselves.
Honestly looking at the selection I have lost interest in this T20 world cup.
THIS GUY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT, HE CANT GET OVER THE FACT THAT HE IS NO LONGER COACH AND BESIDES wHATMORE IS A WORLD CUP WINNING COACH, WHO NEEDS A BIT MORE TIME BECAUSE THERE IS TOO MUCH POLITICS IN PAKISTAN , OTHERWISE WHY WOULD BATSMEN LIKE MOHAMMED YOUSAF NOT BE IN THIS TEAM FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AND WAS EASILY PAKISTANS BEST BATSMAN.