"There should be shame on this third-class selection committee"- Former Pakistan pacer slams Waqar Younis for late exclusions from Bangladesh Tests
Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed launched a scathing attack on the selection committee and newly-appointed advisor to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Waqar Younis for the squad selected for the upcoming Bangladesh Tests. Tanvir took issue with the late exclusions of batting all-rounder Kamran Ghulam and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
While Ghulam has played only the lone ODI for Pakistan, Abrar was a more surprising omission. The leggie has played six Tests and performed impressively, bagging 38 wickets at an average of 31.07 with two five-wicket hauls.
Taking to his X handle, Tanvir said:
"Have you all seen? Waqar Younis and the selection committee have removed Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam from the Test matches against Bangladesh. The remaining issue is that Waqar Younis will ruin Pakistan's cricket."
"There should be shame on this third-class selection committee that has dropped Abrar and Kamran Ghulam from the team. Where is this Waqar Younis who keeps portraying himself as a big legend? How have these two been dropped?" he added.
The duo were originally included in the squad for the Bangladesh Tests before being removed four days from the first Test.
Pakistan will look to continue their unbeaten run in Tests against Bangladesh
Pakistan will look to continue their unbeaten run in Tests against Bangladesh in the upcoming two-match series. Apart from the lone draw in 2015, Pakistan have beaten Bangladesh in all 12 completed Tests between the sides.
Their most recent meeting came in Bangladesh in 2021, with Pakistan completing a 2-0 whitewash. The two teams last met in Pakistan in 2020, with the hosts winning the first Test before Covid-19 prevented the start of the second Test.
Both teams are in the bottom half of the 2023-25 World Test Championship table, with Pakistan at sixth and Bangladesh at eighth in the nine-team race.
Both Tests in the upcoming series will be played at Rawalpindi with the first game starting on August 21 and the second on August 30.