Mickey Arthur Requests PCB To Induct Rahat Ali In Pakistan Test Squad Against West Indies
Dec 31, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to send fast bowler Rahat Ali to West Indies, in a bid to bolster the visitors bowling-up against hosts, after a mediocre performance from left-arm fast bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz in the recently concluded three-match One-day International series.
The first Test of the three-match series is scheduled on April 22 at Sabina Part in Jamaica.
The reports suggested Arthur wants to have the 28-year-old left pacer alongside debutant Mohammad Abbas, as the selection committee has already named Amir, Riaz and Hassan Ali in the line-up.
The 31-year-old Riaz, who conceded 108 runs during the four-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies picked just four wickets.
In the first ODI, Riaz conceded 69 runs in his quota of 10 overs to bag the only wicket, as Pakistan eventually failed to defend the target of 308 runs.
However, on the other side, 25-year-old Amir picked five wickets during the ODI series, after he was rested for the T20Is.
Earlier, Sohail Khan was omitted from the Test squad, as the news surfaced the latter had a tiff with bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, who was also the bowling mentor for Pakistan Super League franchise Karachi Kings.
The national chief selector Inzamam-Ul-Haq in his recent interview stated Sohail was dropped following the fitness issue.
In nine Tests, the right-arm bowler Sohail has bagged 27 wickets at an average of 41.66 since making his debut in 2008.
Dawn has reported, overlooked all-rounder Hammad Azam could also come into the side, to strength the unit if the team management would back the batsman.
“In the past, Hammad was destroyed due to selectors’ inconsistent attitude with him. But he can easily grab the all-rounder spot if the team management and selectors give him confidence and regular chances,” PCB official was quoted as saying by Dawn.
The discarded 26-year-old right-handed batsman made his first international appearance in 2011 against the West Indies. So far, he has played 11 ODIs and five T20Is.