Former Pakistan captain and ex chief selector, Inzamam Ul Haq, questioned the decision taken by the current team management and selectors to travel for the tour of England in August-September with a very large squad.
The PCB last Friday (June 12) announced a 29-man playing squad for the three-Test and three-T20I trip to the UK. Apart from which, 14 officials will also travel with the side.
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It is believed that with the series due to be played in a bio-secure bubble in wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the need to have enough replacements in place was felt by the management, which is also why a combined squad was announced and not format-specific one.
Inzamam, however, questioned this, saying the arrangement will see players facing extra pressure and uncertainty regarding their selection in the main XI.
"There are 29 players and 15 officials in the squad. I've never seen such a big management and a big team like that," Inzamam said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"It's very surprising. I don't know who has floated the idea to take a tough decision of sending 44 people on the tour. Let's hope that it will benefit Pakistan cricket. But controlling and looking after such a big squad will not an easy task. West Indies are there. I don't think they've brought such a big squad."
"Our players need confidence; the more they'll have it the better they'll perform. But if a player will keep on worrying during the entire tour that if he will fail to perform he may be replaced with someone else, then it will (be) damaging for the team," he added.
Inzamam welcomed the reinclusion of Sarfaraz Ahmed in the set-up, but doesn't agree with the current regime seeing him now as a back-up wicketkeeper batsman to Mohammad Rizwan.
"It is a good thing that Sarfraz has been given the chance. But considering him a second wicketkeeper is not a good move," he said. "An individual, who has been Pakistan's captain for a long time and who led his side to several wins, including the Champions Trophy, such a role does not seem suitable."
"Making a comeback as a normal player is different, but it is not easy for a player who has been team's captain for three to four years. At the time of making comeback a player needs some encouraging words. But the use of such words (second wicketkeeper) may down him."
Inzamam then talked about the exclusion of players like Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz from the national central contract list.
"When the central contracts were announced (last month) I couldn't comment on that as it is after quite some time that I'm posting this video to express my views."
"But I think by not awarding central contracts to these four players, you've given them the message that you'll not be with us for a long period. But if they are part of your T20 squad during the England tour, how can you give them the message that you are not part of our future planning?" asked Inzamam.
"I don't think this a good approach as it will compel the players to focus on individual efforts and consequently team's unity will be at stake," he added.
"They've served Pakistan cricket for several years. I've also not seen any statement coming from them that they'll be quitting after the World cup."
(Inputs from AFP)
