KARACHI: Chief selector Iqbal Qasim has dispelled the impression by experts and pundits of the game that Pakistan squad named for Champions Trophy was lacking in batting.
National selection committee named eight batsmen including a wicket-keeper and seven bowlers for the event to be played in England next month.
"I think it is a well balanced combination with experienced batsmen with youth and same in bowling," he said in his comments to APP on Tuesday prior his departure for Islamabad to attend Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Governing Board meeting.
"Squad named for the Champions Trophy is a blend of youth and experience in both batting and bowling," he remarked.
He said there is presence of Misbah-ul-Haq, Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal with youngsters like Asad Shafiq, Nasir Jamshed and Umer Amin.
Pakistan's pace attack looked inexperienced but talented with Junaid Khan, Muhammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Ehsan Adil and Asad Ali. Team got quality spinners in Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.
Former Pakistan captain Mushtaq Muhammad has said that keeping team's batting problem; selectors should have inducted one more batsman instead of packing with five pace bowlers.
Pakistan bowling did really well on the tours of India and South Africa. But batting remained in trouble.
"An additional batsman may be needed considering the past," Mushtaq Muhammad said.
Melbourne hero Sarfraz Nawaz complimented the selection committee for picking a good team. But he too said Pakistan team is one batsman short in the circumstances.
The Selectors have for once gambled on picking former Pakistan captain Shoaib, who had scored 4121 round in 28 One-Day International at an average of 18.72 with 39 his highest score at Dambulla against Sri Lanka in 2010.
On the other hand wicketkeeper/ batsman Kamran Akmal had also struggled with the bat having scored over 300 runs in his last 19 ODIs.
"We have selected Malik and Kamran on the basis of their experience and past track record with consent of skipper and chief coach," he said.
Pakistan is drawn in tough group "B" with India, South Africa and West Indies. Pakistan will clash with West Indies on June 7.
Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are placed in group "A".
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