New Delhi: As a contestant Harith Raouf He has withdrawn from Pakistan’s upcoming tour of Australia, citing workload issues, chief selector Wahab Riad He issued a stern warning to players to put patriotic duties above everything else.
Riyad, the newly appointed chief selector, on Monday named an 18-member squad for the three-Test series in Australia that included three uncapped players.
With Rauf announcing his unavailability for the tour, Riyad set the record straight, asking the players to prioritize national duties and any non-compliance would result in them being sidelined.
“Two days ago he (Haris) told us he was available for the Test series and last night he said he had concerns about workload and fitness issues so he was not available,” Riaz said.
The former fast bowler said that he and Mohammad Hafeez, the newly appointed Pakistan national team manager, had a detailed conversation with Rauf.
Hafeez and I spoke to him (Rauf) in detail and told him that the captain and coach wanted him to play for Australia, because he was an influential player.
“We have assured him that he will not bowl more than 10-12 overs in one day in Australia,” Riaz explained.
“We also spoke to the team’s physiotherapist and coach and they said Raouf doesn’t have any fitness issues and there won’t be a problem with him in Australia. As a centrally contracted player, we felt he shouldn’t have taken a step back.
Riyad said that in the absence of a few injured players, Rauf would have come in handy.
“We felt that with Naseem (Shah), Mohammad Hasnain and Ehsanullah missing due to injuries, Rauf, if he wanted to play for Pakistan, should have made the sacrifice and played for the team,” Riaz said.
Riaz explained that players who are ready to defend the country will be given preference in the future when it comes to team selection.
He added: “Any player, regardless of his identity or size, if he does not prioritize the Pakistani national team, will not feature in our future plans.”
The former fast bowler said that he wants to prepare a group of good reserve players and not have to rely on only 15-16 players as happened before the World Cup.
He said that more young players will be showcased in T20 cricket so that there will be more players to choose from in next year’s T20 World Cup.
Riaz said Naseem Shah would be ready to start bowling again with 50 to 60 percent capacity after three to four weeks.
“He is still in rehab recovering from shoulder surgery.”
Pakistan squad for Australia series: Shan Masoud (Captain), Amer Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar AzamFaheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Rizwan (week), Muhammad Waseem Jr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (week), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah. Afridi.
(With inputs from PTI)
Riyad, the newly appointed chief selector, on Monday named an 18-member squad for the three-Test series in Australia that included three uncapped players.
With Rauf announcing his unavailability for the tour, Riyad set the record straight, asking the players to prioritize national duties and any non-compliance would result in them being sidelined.
“Two days ago he (Haris) told us he was available for the Test series and last night he said he had concerns about workload and fitness issues so he was not available,” Riaz said.
The former fast bowler said that he and Mohammad Hafeez, the newly appointed Pakistan national team manager, had a detailed conversation with Rauf.
Hafeez and I spoke to him (Rauf) in detail and told him that the captain and coach wanted him to play for Australia, because he was an influential player.
“We have assured him that he will not bowl more than 10-12 overs in one day in Australia,” Riaz explained.
“We also spoke to the team’s physiotherapist and coach and they said Raouf doesn’t have any fitness issues and there won’t be a problem with him in Australia. As a centrally contracted player, we felt he shouldn’t have taken a step back.
Riyad said that in the absence of a few injured players, Rauf would have come in handy.
“We felt that with Naseem (Shah), Mohammad Hasnain and Ehsanullah missing due to injuries, Rauf, if he wanted to play for Pakistan, should have made the sacrifice and played for the team,” Riaz said.
Riaz explained that players who are ready to defend the country will be given preference in the future when it comes to team selection.
He added: “Any player, regardless of his identity or size, if he does not prioritize the Pakistani national team, will not feature in our future plans.”
The former fast bowler said that he wants to prepare a group of good reserve players and not have to rely on only 15-16 players as happened before the World Cup.
He said that more young players will be showcased in T20 cricket so that there will be more players to choose from in next year’s T20 World Cup.
Riaz said Naseem Shah would be ready to start bowling again with 50 to 60 percent capacity after three to four weeks.
“He is still in rehab recovering from shoulder surgery.”
Pakistan squad for Australia series: Shan Masoud (Captain), Amer Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar AzamFaheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Rizwan (week), Muhammad Waseem Jr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (week), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah. Afridi.
(With inputs from PTI)