"You are ruining his confidence" - Basit Ali slams Pakistani team management for releasing Abrar Ahmed ahead of Test series opener against Bangladesh
Basit Ali slammed the Pakistani team management for releasing leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed and batting all-rounder Kamran Ghulam ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh. With Abrar no longer part of the lineup, the hosts will be without a frontline spinner for the first Test.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit opined that Abrar's confidence will take a hit after being removed from the Test squad. The former cricketer said (from 3:13):
"I think it is a bad decision by the team management. Now it is being said that they released them so that they don't need to sit out. The pitches won't be like the England series this time because home advantage should be taken. By leaving out your main bowler and putting him in a side match, you are ruining his confidence."
Abrar Ahmed has had a fantastic start to his Test career, picking up 38 wickets in just six Tests. The spinner will join the Shaheens squad for the second four-day match against Bangladesh A.
It is worth mentioning that Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam will rejoin the Pakistani squad for their second and final Test against Bangladesh.
"It is necessary to have a spinner in the squad" - Basit Ali on Pakistan's lineup for Rawalpindi Test
Basit Ali suggested that Pakistan missed the trick by not having a frontline spinner in their squad for the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. He mentioned that having a spin-bowling option is a must on Pakistani pitches.
He also questioned Pakistan's red-ball coach Jason Gillespie over Abrar Ahmed's exclusion. Basit remarked in the same video (from 2:27):
"Pakistan may win easily against Bangladesh. However, it is necessary to have a spinner in the squad. You can make any kind of pitch in Pakistan, but spinners will play a role. When Jason Gillespie played for Australia, did it ever happen that their team only had fast bowlers? There are very fast wickets over there. Be it in the form of Stuart MacGill or Shane Warne, there was a spinner."
The Test series opener between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from Wednesday, August 21.