KARACHI: Former chief selector Iqbal Qasim has said that sending talented Sohaib Maqsood up in the order could prove more benefiting and productive in Pakistan team's interest.
"Sohaib and Fawad deserved all the credit and encouragement for their outstanding batting which powered Pakistan to remarkable victory in first one-dayer," he told APP on Monday on the eve of the second One-Day being played in Hambantota on Tuesday.
He said Sohaib has batted up in the order and even opened the batting and deserved to bat at four or five spot.
Pakistan was dire straits at 106-5, but Sohaib and Fawad in fighting 147 runs 6th wicket stand set-up a thrilling win with one- ball to spare.
Multan-based Sohaib hit an awesome 89 off 73 balls with nine boundaries while batting at number seven spot while Fawad hit seven boundaries in his 61-ball 62 and Ahmed Shehzad (49) and put up gutsy performance.
Senior batsmen like Younis Khan (3) Misbah-ul-Haq (13) and Muhammad Hafeez (21) all went cheaply to put team under pressure before rescued by Sohaib and Fawad.
Iqbal Qasim said after suffering 2-0 defeat in the Test series, Pakistan's fight back was a great sign.
He expressed the hope that Pakistan will maintained the momentum in the second one-dayer.
He said these youngsters like Sohaib and Fawad and even Asad Shafiq, who are future of Pakistan cricket should be given persistent exposure ahead of next year's World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February 2015.
Iqbal Qasim said Sarfraz Ahmed, who put up an outstanding show in the Test series should be in the pool of players for the World Cup.
"I also think Sarfraz should have been retained in the one- day squad after his career best batting show," he remarked.
"By only exposing and giving younger lot confidence and opportunities, Pakistan could form a good combination for the World Cup," former Test left arm spinner, commented.
Comments
Comments are closed.