Selection of Cricket Team-The Frontier Post By Waqar Hussain

(Saturday, Novermber 21, 1992)

BCCP’s selection committee has announced the 15 member squad for the forthcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand. It was the first assignment of a newly or organised selection committee. The selectors rose to the occasion and elected a balanced combination keeping in view Australian environment, playing conditions, bouncy pitches, and the expected response of the Australian spectatorts towards the world champions.

Rameez Raja has been rightly selected vice-captain instead of Salim Malik. Rameez captioned impressively in one-dayers; once during the England tour and in 5^th Flood Relief Exhibition match and won the sport of Miandad’s deputy.

The touring party include eight specialist batsmen in Javed Miandad, Salim Malik, Rammez Raja, Aamir Sohail, Inzamamul Haq, Asif Mujtaba, Saeed Awar and Shahid Saeed besides five pacers Wasim Akram, Aaib Javed, awar ounis, Naveed Anjum, Ataur Rehman and specialist spinner Mushtaq Ahmad. Rashid Latif will keep the wickets. There are four all rounders Wasim Akram, Naveed anjum, Aamir sohail and Asif Mujtaba.

  As an opener, Saeed Anwar has already proved his skill for Australian condition in the prvious tour. He will be used as an opener if required.

  At present our cricket team ahs three main problem suitable player at number three position use of fifth bowler and feeble fielding..

It is set that No. 3 position is usually occupied by the most skill-full reliable batsman all over

the world. Salim Malik will be the right man to fill this spot as lnza-mamul Haq has yet to prove his adaptability. The other two boys who can be considered for this place are Asif Mujtaba and Shahid Saeed. The former is a technically correct player but will not earn this position due to his limited capabilities. The latter has performed consistently well in recent Wills Cup and Flood Relief Exhibition matches. His improvisation is equally good but he will take time to adjust himself according to Australian conditions. So Salim Malik's occupation at No. 3 will be an appropriate decision and will boost the team's performance. Rashid Latif was performing exceptionally and finally managed.. _ to replace Moin Khan. He scored a brisk 56 and remained not out in the 4th Flood Relief match along with exhibition of acrobatic skill behind the stumps. This tour will be a test of his nerves and skill; the onus is on him. The selection committee has not considered the possibility of injury to sole wicket-keeper; if he fails to perform well or gets injured, who will keep the wickets? The only answer is Miandad. But it will he asking too much from the skipper who is also prone to back injury. As the tour is just to begin, any change in the side is tempting fate. Over all the squad is fully equipped to meet the challenges of the tour. Inshallah the tour will be a success. WAQAR HUSSIAN, Lahore.