"Hammad Azam can be the long term replacement for Abdul Razzaq" : Iqbal Qasim by PakPassion.Net

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Event:

Pakistan in West Indies 2011

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DateLine: 5th May 2011

 

The selection process to pick a Pakistani Test team very rarely results in a combination favourable to keen watchers and experts of the game. The classic "young blood" versus the "tried and tested" debate rages on long after the last ball has been bowled for any series.

 

The current exercise to pick a test squad for the West Indies tour is yet another example of the dilemma faced by the selectors - A dilemma that is proving to be even more controversial than normal.

 

Amongst the many voices to comment on the selection issues of this series, there is no better placed than the former Chief of Selectors and an outstanding spin bowler of his time, Iqbal Qasim.

 

As someone who is acutely aware of the pressures on selectors, Iqbal was quick to recognize what many would term as a fine and sometimes rare example of merit, rather than personal preferences driving the selection of a fine all rounder. He was of course, referring to the inclusion and selection of Hammad Azam who has impressed all observers with his calm demeanour and skills in the ongoing one day series.

 

Speaking on this subject with PakPassion.net, Iqbal Qasim agreed that Hammad looks talented with the bat but needed to work on his bowling. However, this would be a matter of time, given the presence of two of the best proponents of the art of bowling at his side. "Waqar and Aaqib are there and I am sure they will be working with him".

 

Any doubts over what position in the team Hammad Azam should be looking to establish were laid to rest with Iqbal Qasim clearly stating that "Hammad is a good all rounder and can be the long term replacement for Abdul Razzaq."

 

In the recent past, the position of the wicket keeper in the Pakistani team has been the subject of intense debate and Iqbal Qasim, for his part, also expressed his complete dissatisfaction over the exclusion of Adnan Akmal.

 

He felt that young players like Adnan who have done well should not have be dropped in this manner - "Adnan did very well as a keeper and he batted quiet decently as well. Never should anyone destroy a career of a young guy like this" He likened Adnan's case to that of another keeper, Sarfraz Ahmed's who was also dropped rather hastily in the past.

 

As a further proof of players improving their skills due to confidence shown in their abilities by selectors, Qasim cited the example of Ahmed Shehzad who has been persisted with for the last tour of New Zealand, the World Cup and the current series against the West Indies. This is in direct contrast to the fortunes of Khurram Manzoor who was dropped even after he scored 70 in his last test outing in Australia.

 

Whereas there was some opposition to his selection, Ahmed Shahzad has shown enough evidence of brilliance to be considered as a good prospect. This bode well for the future of the team according to Qasim. "Though he didn’t do well in the World Cup, whatever the reason might be, like pressure, not concentrating enough but Pakistan persisted with him and he showed some good performances on the West Indies tour. However, the same criteria which have been applied to Shehzad should be set for every one."

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
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