Amir Sohail Hits Out At Selectors

Former Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail has hit out at selectors for failing to spot quality domestic fast bowlers to play for the national team.

Sohail also blamed the panel for not selecting the right bowlers at the right time, which has seen many pacemen fade at the start of their international careers.

The 41-year-old former opener told The Hindu:

"They (the selectors) are essentially opting for medium-pacers who can seam the ball around. But we hardly get seaming pitches these days."

"Pace and swing are the requirements and these were Pakistan's strengths. We have some genuinely quick pacemen back home but they are not getting selected. These bowlers have done extremely well in domestic cricket."

"Now we see pacemen figuring in a Test series or two and then disappearing from the scene. This hurts the side in the long run."

"We had a potentially great fast bowler in Mohammad Zahid. He should been used carefully, camouflaged, early in his career. Before his body developed fully, he bowled too many overs. He suffered a serious back injury."

In contrast, Sohail praised the efforts of former Pakistan cricketers in spotting talent at the right stage and giving them a go early in their careers.

He said:

"In the past, even if the selection panel was not always right, Imran Khan groomed the pacemen and Javed Miandad did so with the batsmen."

"Confidence was instilled in these cricketers and they were given a fair run."