Shoaib Akhtar advises PCB not to over train Naseem Shah for the Australian tour

One of the things that the Pakistan team management and selectors were criticized following their 0-3 whitewash against an inexperienced Sri Lankan side, was their decision to bring back tried-and-tested failures like Ahmed Shahzad and Umar Akmal in the set-up at the expense of youngsters. Fans and pundits across the country had advocated for blooding in young talents for the 3-match T20I series.

Albeit a bit late, but the selector and team management have decided to try out new faces for the upcoming tour of Australia where green shirts will take part in a 3-match Twenty20 series followed by two Test matches, which will be a part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship. Khushdil Shah and leg-spinner Usman Qadir- son of the legendary Late Abdul Qadir- were recalled to the set-up while rookie pacers like 19-year-old Muhammad Musa Khan and Naseem Shah were also included.

While Musa Khan has been included in both the Test and Twenty20 squad, 16-year-old pace bowling sensation, Naseem Shah has been picked for the Test side, which is led by Azhar Ali. Speaking on the selection of the young players like Naseem Shah and Musa Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq said that they wanted to give them a chance as they are Pakistan cricket’s future.

“The team we have selected has been chosen with that in mind, and we have a number of surprise packages in our team that we feel confident will be able to challenge Australia. Be that T20Is or Test cricket, you will see young, exciting players. My message is clear: we want youngsters to get a chance, we believe in them and they are our future. If you go to Australia and want to compete, you have to have firepower in the fast-bowling department. We aren’t just going to compete, we are going to win, and we are confident these boys will perform.” Misbah had said as quoted by India Today.

Shoaib Akhtar has his say on Naseem Shah

Former fast bowling spearhead Shoaib Akhtar had his say on the selection on Naseem Shah. Talking on his Youtube channel, Akhtar reckoned that the PCB should not over train Shah and the fact that Australia hasn’t faced him before, he should be given absolute freedom to bowl as fast as he can.

“I would suggest the board not over train him. Australia has never faced him before. I hope he’ll be given the freedom to bowl at the fastest possible pace,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

The Pakistan tour of Australia starts with the T20I series on November 03.

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