Senior players should have rested against NZ instead of Afghanistan: Wasim

Former chief selector of Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim, has voiced his criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board's strategy to rest five senior players at the same time during a series against a full-strength Afghanistan team in Sharjah last month.

During an interview with a local media news channel, Wasim expressed his support for the notion of resting senior players, but he also added that it should be carried out through a proper policy instead of abruptly benching the top five players.

The 44-year-old further stated that home series presents the best opportunity to give younger players a chance and rest the senior players, and that the New Zealand series would have been a more fitting occasion for this.

“In my opinion, your home series is the best occasion to try your youngsters and rest your senior players, they had the schedule in front of them, they knew New Zealand was coming and they would come with bench strength, so they should have played those youngsters in this series,” he said.

“It was a bit harsh on those youngsters too to expose them against full strength Afghanistan side in difficult conditions of Sharjah, I think the New Zealand series would’ve been a better opportunity for them to play,” he added.

Wasim also emphasized the significance of having a senior batsman alongside these younger players, who could provide guidance and mentorship throughout the series.

“A senior batter was important to be with these youngsters who could guide them, mentor them during the series. The leader, Babar should’ve been there as we have seen how Saim and Haris excelled when they played alongside Babar. If not Babar, then Rizwan or Fakhar, but a senior was much needed there to be with youngsters,” he said.

Former chief selector also criticized the Pakistan Shaheens' series against Zimbabwe, stating that it was unproductive for young players.

“It is just for the sake of organising a tour otherwise series against Zimbabwe A will not help the purpose of development of our cricketers. To achieve that goal, we need A team’s series against teams like Australia A or England Lions,” he concluded.