Pakistan ‘A’ squads for month-long Sri Lanka tour named

Lahore: Following its recommendation by the four-member selection committee headed by Haroon Rashid, Chairman PCB Shaharyar M. Khan has approved Pakistan ‘A’ 16-member apiece four-day and one-day squads for the month-long tour of Sri Lanka in April-May 2015.

The tour contains three one-dayers and as many four-day games.

Fawad Alam and Umar Amin shall be captain and vice-captain of Pakistan ‘A’ squad in both formats.

The Chairman PCB also acceded to the selection committee’s suggestion that no replacement be announced for the injured Sohaib Maqsood in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Bangladesh tour. “Since the team is scheduled to play only one T20 match on the tour, it is felt that 14 members are enough for the desired purpose”, said chief selector Haroon Rashid.

With regard to the selection of the ‘A’, Haroon Rashid said: “After having detailed deliberations on the post-World Cup scenario, it was decided by the selectors to formulate a long term selection strategy to raise a back-up pool to compliment the senior team on an as-and-when-required basis.

“In this perspective, tours of junior teams are of paramount important. This tour of Sri Lanka is the first step in this direction. We would appreciate, if few more tours on annual basis are arranged enabling these upcoming players to get the exposure at the international level. This would help the selection committee to assess the potential of these players for their induction in the senior Pakistan team.”

Pakistan ‘A’ Squad–4 day Matches:

Shaan Masood, Khurram Manzoor, Umer Siddiq, Umar Amin (vice-captain), Ali Waqas, Usman Salahuddin, Ali Asad, Immad Wasim, Fawad Alam (captain), Zafar Gohar, Shahzeb Ahmed, Adnan Akmal (wicket-keeper), Mir Hamza, Bilawal Bhatti, Shehzad Azam, Imran Khan.

Standbyes:

Ziaul Haq, Saad Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Naeemuddin

Pakistan ‘A’ – One-day Squad:

Khurram Manzoor, Umer Sadiq, Mukhtar Ahmed, Umar Amin (vice-captain), Fawad Alam (captain), Ali Waqas, Saad Nasim, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Israrullah, Immad Wasim, Zafar Gohar, Shahzeb Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Bilawal Bhatti, Ehsan Adil, Tabish Khan

Chief Selector Haroon Rashid Quotes:

The Selection committee meeting to select 16-member Pakistan ‘A’ cricket team for the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka was held at NCA, Lahore with chairman Haroon Rashid and members Salim Jaffer and Azhar Khan while Kabir Khan, the third member, was consulted on phone and his approval sought through email.

“After having detailed deliberations on the post-World Cup scenario, it was decided by the selectors to formulate a long term selection strategy to raise a back-up pool to compliment the senior team on an as-and-when-required basis.

“In this perspective, tours of junior teams are of paramount important. This tour of Sri Lanka is the first step in this direction. We would appreciate, if few more tours on annual basis may please be arranged enabling these upcoming players to get the exposure at the international level. This would help the selection committee to assess the potential of these players for their induction in the senior Pakistan team.

“In order to have continuity in the development of players, we have selected few players from Pakistan ODI and T20 squad of Bangladesh tour to accompany the Pakistan ‘A’ team to Sri Lanka. This is being done keeping in mind that Pakistan team’s next tour is of Sri Lanka and these players would have the opportunity familiarize themselves with the playing conditions there prior to the senior team’s tour of Sri Lanka.

“Other than the above considerations, the following were also taken into account while naming the Pakistan ‘A’ team: Performances in domestic cricket, potential to perform at international arena, the accent on youth keeping the future of our cricket in view and fitness standards”

Itinerary

April 23:         Arrival in SL

April 26:         1st One-day Match at Matara

April 29:         2nd One-day Match at Hambantota

May 2:             3rd One-day Match at Colombo

May 6-9:         1st Four day Match at Kandy

May 13-16:     2nd Four day Match at Kurunegala

May 20-23:     3rd Four day Match at Dambulla

May 24:           Departure for back home