Former Pakistan skipper slams selectors over Fawad’s non-selection

Like many others, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed frustration over the omission of batsman Fawad Alam from squad, who has once again been axed from the national squad for the Tests against Ireland and England next month.

Expressing his resentment over it, Latif questioned about dropping Fawad especially when Pakistan requires experienced players for the upcoming tour.

"How come Fawad has not been selected when Pakistan are in a dire need of experienced guys to beef up the batting," Dawn quoted Latif saying.

Latif further said that he is saddened by the continuous ignoring of Fawad despite his 'rightful claims to play for Pakistan at the highest level.' Latif, hailed as one of the best wicket keepers of his time, said that the Inzamam-led national selection committee has done a financial murder of Fawad.

"It's like handing a sentence to someone who has committed a heinous crime. Inzamam's committee has done a financial murder to Fawad, given how much Test players are paid these days. His track record speaks for itself with those 27 centuries and 10,742 first-class runs," he said.

Earlier, Inzamam said that Saad Ali was selected in place of Fawad, who has performed better in domestic cricket. “Fawad is an outstanding player but in the last three years there are others at the top of the list,” Inzamam told ESPNcricinfo. “We got him here in the nets but we found Saad Ali to be better and the decision to prefer Saad was unanimous, with input from all the coaching staff and captain,” he said.

Pakistan, under the leadership of skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, will play against Ireland, which will be their first-ever Test against Pakistan from May 11 to May 15 in Dublin. Pakistan will then play two Tests against England at Lord’s from May 24 to May 28 and Headingley from June 1 to 5.