- Inzamam’ press conference is available here. The news conference can be downloaded and used for editorial purposes only.
Lahore, 9 August 2023: Pakistan men’s chief selector Inzamam-ul Haq addressed media in a press conference today at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where he announced 18-member squad for three ODI matches for Afghanistan series and 17-member squad for ACC Asia Cup.
The transcript from the media conference is below:
On Faheem Ashraf’s selection?
Yes, we have given preference to an all-rounder, if you see the full squad, there was no all-rounder. So Faheem Ashraf is such an all-rounder, if you see his good performance in the HBL PSL and other events then you will see he is the only fast bowling all-rounder. Considering the forthcoming World Cup, we might require him in the team.
On Shan Masood’s non-inclusion in the squad and any long-term thinking over him?
See, I have just joined on 7 August, and we haven’t formulated our full selection team. So, we are looking into all the things. On Shan, he has performed very well in the last season. Unfortunately, when the previous selection committee provided him an opportunity, he couldn’t perform well. We have formulated a group of 20 to 21 players and he is in that group, we are keeping an eye on him. Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafique have performed well so we have given them a chance. But it is not like Shan Masood is completely out, he is also with us. We have some limitations, we can select a few players and can’t select other players, but it is not like they are not in our plans. Shan was also recently a part of the Test squad.
Your working with Grant Bradburn and Mickey Arthur?
I have worked with Mickey before for three and a half years. Babar also came at that time. Babar is also that captain who has previously worked with us. So, working with them is not new to me, Bradburn was also there in the past, not as head coach but as fielding coach. So, these names, Bradburn and Mickey Arthur are not new, they have worked with me before.
On plans for selection performers in Domestic Cricket?
I have just joined recently, so give me some time, this is definitely my priority. At the moment, there is no first-class cricket going on. So before 7 August, I had few names, so in future, we will look into it, will make a setup and it will bring improvement. The names given to us before had performed well in the domestic, so on that basis the names were there.
On giving a chance to specialist white-ball performers in future?
See, the players’ selection is open every time. Sometimes you make a squad of 20 to 22 players, but sometimes you may require a player from outside that pool. If someone performs exceptionally well, or there is a requirement of a team, you select that player as well. For example, there is Imad Wasim, he is an experienced bowler, if you require second left-arm spinner, we can consider him. These names are not final, that we can’t go outside of them. We can consider any player, whosoever is required anytime. Regarding Zaman Khan, he has performed well in white-ball cricket, but he doesn’t have that much experience of 50-over cricket, but he has the potential, he is a good bowler and has performed well in T20 cricket. So if he plays a few first-class matches, he will be an asset for us.
Will your input be required in formation of Playing XI?
I am hopeful the team will perform well; the players are good. Like in the past, I will work with the selection team. It is important when we have first-class matches, the selectors should go to the ground. They identify the talent they are witnessing on-ground, it is not like selecting players on the paper. They will see, how the players have scored runs, in what conditions. You will see in few days a selection team will be announced which will go and watch domestic matches. If I will be there, I will give input, but if I am not there, I don’t know the conditions, so I am not that kind of a person who will be able to effectively provide insight from outside. Regarding selection of the playing XI, it should be left with Mickey and Babar. If required, I will give my suggestion.
Babar Azam – as captain of the team in all three formats?
See, lot of changes in captaincy is not good. I think Babar is doing great captaincy, and when I was chief selector before, Sarfaraz Ahmed was not captain of all three formats, but he became captain of all three formats later. So, I feel, there should be one captain of all three formats, if he plays in all three formats. So, he should know how he has to take his players forward. But, this captaincy doesn’t come under my domain.
Pakistan’s middle-order has struggled in the past, which players are best suited in that position?
In the top-order, Fakhar, Imam and Babar have performed well in the ODIs, but our middle-order hasn’t performed that way. We have included Saud Shakeel, he has done well in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He is also a left-hander, so we are considering that and we too think that we should have at least one player in the middle-order which makes our middle-order strong. We are also considering all-rounders in ODI cricket as sometimes we have to chase over 300 in the ODIs, who can hit big shots in the middle overs. So we are looking to work on it and we will see which players are available in first-class cricket who can fill this gap.
Why Faheem Ashraf is in the squad and why foreign coaches are required?
Faheem Ashraf is a fast-bowling all-rounder and he was the requirement of the team. And he has performed well amongst the all fast-bowling all-rounders. So if provided him a chance, I expect, he will do well. We have great players, but some of our players also go abroad and coach their teams. So, this is not a bad thing. Yes, we should consider our local people, like you can see me in the selection committee.
Is there any injustice done to Shan Masood?
Shan Masood has scored only one half-century in last nine ODIs. Shan is a good player, but sometimes you need to put in more effort. His performance may not be up to the mark yet but he is such a player who can play in all formats. Unfortunately, his performance was not there in the last two to three months. Youngsters like Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel have performed and opportunities are given to them, but Shan is part of our 20 to 21 players group.
Couldn’t some players be given rest for Afghanistan series?
See before the World Cup, if players deem it fit, they can rest, but no one should take Afghanistan lightly, if you think your players are tired, give them rest. I know few players didn’t play last time, and you know the outcome. Afghanistan is not the same side as it was before. You should go with full strength against Afghanistan.
What criteria is adopted for players’ selection?
Abdullah Shafique is in form, he has performed well in HBL PSL and has performed well in Tests and has scored in that very conditions. Saud Shakeel’s recent century in Karachi was of low strike-rate, but in Sri Lanka when most of the players were dismissed, Saud batted well and his strike rate was good. So I feel, Saud is improving day by day, Abdullah Shafique is also that player who is doing well and improving. So such players should be given a chance when they are in form. We can take only 15-member squad for the World Cup, but here we had the opportunity to carry a 17-member squad so we should give opportunities to the youngsters.
