Published: Jun 26, 2014, 10:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 26, 2014, 10:03 PM (IST)
Karachi: Jun 26, 2014
Pakistan selectors are contemplating resting some senior players for the forthcoming Test and one-day series tour of Sri Lanka in August. A well informed source told PTI that senior pace bowlers, Umar Gul, Mohammad Irfan and Mohammad Sami are unlikely to find spots in the touring side as the national selectors want them fresh for the Test series later on against Australia and New Zealand and the ICC World Cup 2015.
“The feeling is that in August the weather conditions in Sri Lanka will be hot and humid and it would be better to give a chance to the younger pace bowlers,” the source said. He said given past experiences in Sri Lanka in Test matches, the selectors don’t want to risk sending Gul, Irfan or Sami.
The source said the selectors are waiting for head coach, Waqar Younis, to join the Pakistan team after which they will sit down and finalise the touring squad. “Waqar’s input will be taken before a decision is taken but even the former fast bowler has indicated he would like to give more exposure to some of the younger players in contention in Sri Lanka,” the source said.
In the absence of senior pace bowlers, the burden of bowling will be shared mainly by the spin twins, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman. The source said they were also discussions on resting some senior batsmen. Pakistan is due to play two Tests and a one-day series in Sri Lanka which won its first Test series in England this week.
Pakistan’s batting coach, Zimbabwean Grant Flower, will join the team directly in Sri Lanka due to his existing commitments.
