'It's just like sending an all-decked-up bride back without getting her married' - Ramiz Raja slams PCB for their confusing selection policy

On Friday, June 4, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced elaborate squads for Pakistan’s tours of England and West Indies. In July 2021, the Men in Green will feature against the England side in three One Day Internationals and as many T20 Internationals. The England tour will be followed by a five-match T20Is and two-match Test series against West Indies.

The team selection for the upcoming two tours hasn’t gone down well with former Pakistan cricketer and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Raja slammed PCB’s selection policy. Raja asserted that he doesn’t understand Pakistan’s policy of picking up ex-players rather than looking for young talent. The veteran added that not giving preference to the youngsters and uncapped players is hurting the team.

“I still don’t understand the slotting and the selection of players in Pakistan cricket. That is because you select a team, you announce a lot of uncapped players and it is appreciated because once again, there is an eye on the future. And then you don’t play them. It’s just like sending an all-decked-up bride back without getting her married. Then you suddenly look back to the recycled players. Not only are they recalled to the team but they are also made to play. They are preferred over the uncapped players,” said Ramiz on his YouTube channel.

You aren’t aware of the quality of the player: Ramiz Raja 

During the Pakistan tour of Zimbabwe, Pakistan handed a debut cap to a 36-year-old Tabish Khan, the oldest Test debutant for Pakistan in 66 years. Though Raja doesn’t have any problem with Tabish playing his maiden game, he expressed his disappointment for not picking the bowler again for the Test match against West Indies.

Raja believes that PCB seems confused regarding the selection policy as they are unable to judge the quality of the players. “Then, according to the slotting, you announce a player in the Test squad like Salman Ali but you play him in the ODIs next time. So, either the earlier selection wasn’t right or this selection isn’t. You aren’t aware of the quality of the player.

“It is like you debut a 36 or a 38-year-old (Tabish Khan) in Zimbabwe against a team like Zimbabwe but you don’t give a chance to a 22-year-old. I mean I haven’t seen this happen anywhere in the world. And then you also free him after the Test debut. It’s basically a benefit match for him because you did not give him a Test cap with the future in mind. What kind of thinking and logic is this?” explained Raja.