Despite the fact that the Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been dropped from the national squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2018, Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam Ul Haq has assured that Hafeez very much remains to be a part of Pakistan’s plans for the 2019 World Cup.
All-rounders Hafeez and Imad Wasim were the surprise exclusions from the preliminary 18-member squad for the Asia Cup. Hafeez, 37, was with the team when they won the triangular Twenty20 International and One-Day International series in Zimbabwe. However, he didn’t feature in the playing XI in the ODI series.
Talking about the same, Inzamam said, “Hafeez is a part of the 20-22 players that we are considering for the World Cup. Hafeez is a good player and now he can bowl as well. But we have other options now. There is much more cricket after the Asia Cup. At this moment, we are trying other options. We select players and we don’t have any right to claim that anybody’s career has come to an end.”
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Shan Masood, who has have played 12 Test for the country and the 18-year-old pacer Shaheen Afridi are the two players in the squad who are yet to make their ODI debut. Talking about Masood’s selection, Inzamam explained, “Yes, you are right (that he has not played in 50-over format for Pakistan before). But, if his List-A record is to be seen over the past year, he has scored more than 1300 runs (1288) which contain world-record performances. So, we thought of providing him an opportunity before the next year’s World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Imad, who last played for Pakistan in October 2017, was the only player from the preliminary squad to have failed his fitness test. Describing the same, Inzamam clarified that they are taking fitness tests very seriously and even Imad was one of the few players who has got a few chances as well but, he failed. He said that the management isn’t willing to compromise on their stance related to the fitness.
Pakistan has included six pacers in their line-up for the two-week-long tournament that will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 15, describing the same, Inzamam said, “The Asian Cricket Council has allowed 16-member squads to the sides because of the excessive heat in the UAE. So, by having more fast-bowlers in the side, we are trying to ensure that our fast-bowlers don’t have to bear the brunt.”
The Sarfraz Ahmed-led side, who are placed in Group B with India and a qualifier, will commence their campaign on September 16.
