Former Pakistan captain and interim chief selector Shahid Afridi wants to modify Pakistan’s pitches.
Pakistan’s Test grounds have been under investigation since cricket resumed in 2019. Flat, bland, dead pitches in Rawalpindi and Karachi have drawn strong criticism.
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle rated the Rawalpindi pitch “below average” and deducted a demerit point. The game concluded in a stalemate in March.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was disappointed after losing to England by 74 runs in Rawalpindi this month.
Afridi disagreed with the old-fashioned approach of playing on turning wickets in his first interview as Pakistan’s interim chief selector for the New Zealand Test series.
He said
“We’ll try a new plan. We’ll have a meeting to discuss (Abdul) Razzaq’s and my suggestions. Why do we want a turning wicket?”
The former Pakistan captain said Pakistan may have pitches like Australia and South Africa, which help pacers.
Afridi:
“We can make Aussie and SA-style pitches. Domestic cricket uses these pitches.” “We can attempt new ideas instead of using old ones. How will we reach No. 1 or 2 without changes?”
Shahid Afridi: “We’ve carried bowlers for a while”
Pakistan’s interim selection committee included three players to the two-match Test series against New Zealand.
Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, and Sajid Khan joined the 16-man team on December 21.
Afridi explained Saturday, December 24’s inclusion of two quick bowlers:
“Our selection committee wisely added two fast bowlers (into the squad). Naseem Shah isn’t fully fit, I learned.” “We’ve always had bowlers. We’ve carried Dahani for two years. When will we give him an opportunity to bowl?”
He Added:
“Mir Hamza is another. We need a left-arm fast bowler because Shaheen (Afridi) isn’t available. The boy (Mir) has performed well.”
Pakistan and New Zealand will play the first Test in Karachi on December 26.
