KARACHI: Former Test skipper Rashid Latif said on Saturday that Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan team would be facing a stiff challenge from hosts Zimbabwe during their upcoming tour starting from first September 1.
"By beating fast rising Bangladesh side in the ongoing test and ODIs series, Zimbabweans are showing top form and that could prove dangerous for Pakistan," he told APP in an interview here. "Don't take Zimbabwe lightly," he warned.
"Pakistan may have slight edge in ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals, but it will be tough for them in test match because of inexperience bowling," he said.
"Selectors made mistakes by resting pace duo of Umer Gul, Wahab Riaz. They needed more test matches. But poor selection system may cause yet another trouble for Pakistan team in one-off test," he pointed out.
"Regular chopping and inconsistent policies of selectors may bring embarrassment to Pakistan team," Rashid Latif maintained.
He alleged that selection committee is a rubber stamp and Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt got the full authority in the selection of the team.
He said with Zimbabwe at full strength after the return of players specially captain Brendan Taylor, Ray Price, Craig Ervine and Kayle Jarvis with new star left arm pace bowler Brian Vitori my pose problems to Pakistan.
Rashid Latif said, resting of Umer Gul and Wahab Riaz has weakened Pakistan bowling attack.
Pace duo of Aizaz Bin Ilyas, Junaid Khan and leg-spinner Yasir Shah all is rookie.
"There will be too much burden on experienced Saeed Ajmal and that may put him under pressure," he commented.
He said Pakistan batting looked strong on papers with Misbah, Younis Khan, Muhammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat, Umer Akmal as compared to bowling.
However, he said, despite strong line-up, batting had always been Pakistan's troubled area. "Lets hope batsmen lived upto their reputation," he commented.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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