#PakvEng: Did Pakistan Select A Wrong Playing XI Again?

First Test of the #PakvEng Test series has started in Rawalpindi today. Pakistan has allowed debut to Saud Shakeel, Mohd. Ali and Zahid Mehmood during the inaugural game and so, here is a look at what’s right and what’s wrong with the playing XI.

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#PakvEng: What’s Right About Pakistan’s XI?

On paper, it’s a very good combination with seven batters (including the wicket-keeper), two spinners and three fast bowlers. In the spin department Pakistan has an off as well as a leg-spinner. The pacers too are different from one another.

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So, What’s Wrong? 

Apart from three debutants, Salman Agha, Naseem Shah and Abdullah Shafique are all relatively new to international cricket. Entering a contest against England with as many as six inexperienced cricketers makes very little sense especially, when there were experienced cricketers available.

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Pakistan didn’t play Shan Masood even though he is in better form than Azhar Ali. Moreover, the selectors have preferred Zahid Mehmood over Abrar despite the fact that the Abrar has proved to be in better bowling than Zahid during the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. Similarly, dropping the experienced Faheem Ashraf and playing Mohd. Ali ahead of him is also mind-boggling. Faheem owing to his batting and fielding could have been more useful and so, it is just safe to say that the green shirts have made more than one mistake while finalizing their XI for the Rawalpindi Test.