LAHORE: Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has expressed surprise at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee’s decision to pick a big squad for the England tour, fearing that instead of doing good it may backfire.

Pakistan chief selector-cum-head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Friday announced a 29-member playing squad for the three Tests and three T20 Internationals for the tour that officially starts in August.

“There are 29 players and 15 officials in the squad. I’ve never seen such a big management and a huge squad like that,” Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.

The 50-year-old, who also served as chief selector national team from April 2016 to July 2017, said that the announcement of an extended squad would put extra pressure on the players as each one of them would remain concerned as who would be picked in the playing XI.

“I don’t know who floated the idea to take such a decision [sending 44 people on the tour]. Let’s hope that it will benefit Pakistan cricket. But controlling and looking after such a big squad will not an easy task,” Inzamam pointed out. “The West Indies are already in England and I don’t think they’ve brought such a large squad. Our players need confidence; the more they’ll have it the better they’ll perform.

“But if a player will keep on worrying during the entire tour that if he will fail to perform he may be replaced with someone else, then it will damage for the team.

Commenting on former captain Sarfraz Ahmed’s inclusion in the squad as the backup wicket-keeper, Inzamam said it would not be easy for him to adjust in the new role. “It is a good thing that Sarfraz has been given the chance.

“But considering him a second wicket-keeper is not a good move. An individual, who has been Pakistan captain for a long time and who led his side to several wins, including the ICC Champions Trophy, such a role does not seem suitable.

“Making a comeback as a normal player is different, but it is not easy for a player who has been teams captain for three to four years. At the time of making comeback a player needs some encouraging words. But the use of word like second wicket-keeper may hurt him.”

Inzamam also expressed reservations on PCBs decision of not giving central contracts to seniors like Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir.

“When the central contracts were announced [last month] I couldn’t comment at the time. But I think by not awarding central contracts to these four players, you’ve given them the message that they will not be with the team for a long period,” Inzamam remarked. “But if they are part of the T20 squad during the England tour, how can you give them the message that you are not part of future planning?

“I don’t think this a good approach as it will compel the players to focus on individual efforts and consequently teams unity will be at stake.”

Inzamam noted there would have been nothing wrong if these players were also given a one-year contract. “They’ve served Pakistan cricket for many years. I’ve also not seen any statement coming from them that theyll quitting after the [T20] World Cup.”

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2020