Mohammad Wasim, the former chief selector of Pakistan, has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to idle five prominent players during a series against a full-strength Afghanistan team in Sharjah last month.
During an interview with a local media news channel, Wasim voiced his support for the idea of recuperating senior players, but he added that it should be carried out in accordance with an appropriate policy, as opposed to the top five players being benched abruptly.
The 44-year-old said home series offer the biggest chance for younger players.
The 44-year-old further stated that home series provide the greatest opportunity to rest senior players and give junior players a chance, and that the New Zealand series would have been a more suitable occasion for this.
“In my opinion, your home series is the best opportunity to try out your younger players and rest your senior players. They had the schedule in front of them, they knew New Zealand was coming, and they would bring a strong bench, so they should have played those younger players in this series.”
I believe the New Zealand series would have been a better opportunity for them to play than facing a full-strength Afghanistan side in Sharjah’s challenging conditions.
Wasim stressed the necessity of having a seasoned batsman teach these junior guys throughout the series.
“It was important for a veteran batter to be with these young players so he could guide and mentor them throughout the series.” Babar, the commander, should have been present, as Saim and Haris excelled when playing alongside Babar. If not Babar, then Rizwan or Fakhar, but a senior was required to interact with the younger players,” he said.
Former chief selector stated that the Pakistan Shaheens’ series against Zimbabwe was unproductive for inexperienced players.
It is only for the purpose of organizing a tour, as a series against Zimbabwe A will not contribute to the development of our cricketers. To accomplish this objective, we require a series between the A team and nations such as Australia A or England Lions,” he concluded.