With the current squad, Pakistan won't even win a single match: Muhammad Asif

Former pacer Muhammad Asif believes the Pakistan squad lacks depth and won’t fare well in tough English conditions.

Asif, who has found his way back into the national side tough since he was caught in the spot-fixing scandal along with former captain Salman Butt and Muhammad Amir, is of the opinion that Pakistan should have taken specialists to England rather than the current lot.

“The conditions at England have always been tough for Pakistan but the team they have taken there will make it even tougher; I would be surprised if they are able to win even a single match,” said Asif. “They have ignored many bowlers who are Test-match specialists and that will cost them in those matches.”

Asif further criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for having double standards.

“I cannot understand the dual policy of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). They have continuously been selecting one bowler but ignoring the others,” he said. “You cannot win tournaments like this.”

Commenting on the team selection, Asif said: “They have included a T20 specialist openers and all-rounders which is not an idea selection,” he said. “For Test matches there are specialist batsmen and bowlers who can win matches for the team.”

Talking about the importance of Sarfraz Ahmed’s performance as a captain he said that, as a captain, there is a lot of pressure to perform better than the others. “If you will guide or point out the weak areas of other batsmen and bowlers then you have to keep your performance on the top so that no one can raise a finger against you.”