Pakistan to face tough time against Zimbabwe: Sarfraz

KARACHI: Former test paceman Sarfraz Nawaz said on Wednesday that Pakistan would face tough time in the upcoming test and one-day series against Zimbabwe because of its weak bowling attack and poor selection.

"Resting pace duo of Umer Gul and Wahab Riaz and not considering young all-rounder Hammad Azam and pacer Muhammad Talha was big injustice and blunder," he told APP in an interview.

"Pakistan bowling attack will be exposed with only experienced bowler in the line-up Saeed Ajmal," he said.

He however said left arm pacer Junaid Khan is talented bowler and could prove future star.

He said team should select with an eye on the coming series against Sri Lanka and England and on 2015 World Cup.

Sarfraz said lanky fast bowler Muhammad Talha was great prospect for the country with Hammad Azam, who is immensely talented.

He alleged that Chief Selector Mohsin Khan has misguided Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt in the selection of the team.

"Bad results against Zimbabwe could put Pakistan cricket in disarray and it may harm them in their build-up for home series against Sri Lanka and England in United Arab Emirates," he maintained.

He said Zimbabwe had lifted their morale by beating Bangladesh in Test and One-Day Internationals.

Commenting on the selection of Shoaib Malik, he said it was unfair as he would deny an emerging batsman a place in the team.

Sarfraz, who had a 2-week coaching stint with emerging pace bowlers of country at National Cricket Academy Lahore, said instead of picking the best lot and formidable team, they are treating Zimbabwe as experiment.

"This kind of attitude by the selection committee will further damage Pakistan cricket's struggling image," he concluded.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011s