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Pakistan recalling older players
Pakistan's new selection
committee may recall experienced stars Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi and Saqlain
Mushtaq for the upcoming cricket series against India beginning in March. Also
in contention for a recall to the national side is wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid
Latif as the selectors headed by former Test captain Wasim Bari sit down to
finalise a pool of 40 players in the first phase of the selection process.
Bari had spoken to his fellow selectors Iqbal Qasim,
Ehteshamuddin and Sultan Rana and also the Pakistan captain and coach and
exchanged views with them on the selection process for the series. "I can
say for sure at this stage that we will be having the preliminary selection
process with an open mind and seniors like Waqar Younis, Rashid Latif, Saqlain
Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi are definitely under consideration for the India
series," Bari was quoted as saying in 'The News'.
Bari, who played 87 Tests for Pakistan and was earlier chief selector between
1999 and 2003, said he wanted to basically adopt a horses for courses policy
for the Indian series. "We will pick the best possible combination and
everyone would be considered who makes it to the pool of 40. The seniors
should not worry that they will not get a fair chance. Our job is to select
the best possible combinations and players," he said. Bari said he did
not believe the team did badly in the One-dayers in New Zealand.
"I thought they played well except for one match. But yes Mohammad Sami
struggled because he is an attacking bowler in the mould of Waqar Younis and
he had some fitness problems." Bari said Pakistan needed to scout out
batsmen who could also bowl in the one-dayers as playing with just five
bowlers was not good enough.
"And we also need to strengthen our bowling attack for the Indian
series to counter their strong batting line-up."
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