Pakistan Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has questioned the exclusion of middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Test series against England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, announced a 15-member squad for the first Test against England, which marked the return of fast bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam, despite being a consistent performer in the domestic circuit, was left out of the squad. He alongside Mohammad Ali and injured Khurram Shahzad was a part of the Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests.
“Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, remain firmly in the selectors’ plans,” said PCB in a statement.
Ghulam’s exclusion turned heads and fans questioned the selection criteria for the national team.
Ahmed Shehzad, in a video on his social media accounts, did not mince his words in criticising selectors for ignoring Kamran Ghulam despite his strong showing in domestic cricket, including two centuries in the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup.
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“Kamran Ghulam has once again been ignored, and Mohammad Yousaf did not include him in Pakistan’s 15-member squad,” Shehzad remarked. “He [recently] scored 2 centuries in the Champions Cup. Despite that, he was dropped from the Test team.”
The opening batter did not stop there and raised the question if Kamran is being ignored because he plays in the same position as Babar Azam.
“Why you didn’t include his name in the 15-man squad? What crime did he commit? Is his only crime that he plays in the same position as Babar Azam?” he said.
Ahmed Shehzad also criticised the decision to drop pace bowler Mohammad Ali despite Shaheen Afridi and Aamir Jamal’s fitness issues.
“Pakistan cricket is going downhill day by day, and even those who love Pakistan cricket should brace themselves because this selection can’t be justified by Mohammad Yousuf,” he stated.
“Despite having two injured fast bowlers, they dropped Mohammad Ali. Even after scoring two centuries, Kamran Ghulam wasn’t given a chance. This can’t be justified,” he concluded.
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