Ramiz Raja questions Muhammad Musa and Naseem Shah’s selection for Australia Tests
Musa and Shah have played 12 first-class games thus far, picking up a combined tally of 34 wickets.
With the dismissal of Sarfaraz Ahmed as the skipper, and the change in support staff, Pakistan cricket is in a bit of a transition process. The recent T20I series whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka has set the cat amongst the pigeons in their camp. For the upcoming tour of Australia, they have picked quite a few new faces, two of whom are Muhammad Musa Khan and Naseem Shah.
Musa is only 19 years old and has been a part of the Pakistan U19 team and has an experience of 7 first-class, 6 List A and 9 T20s. The Islamabad-born has been picked for both the T20Is and Test squads. On the other hand, Shah is only 16 years old has played only 5 first-class and 4 T20Is.
You can’t take such big risks in Test cricket, says Ramiz Raja
Shah has only been picked for the Tests. The two selections haven’t gone down well with Ramiz Raja by any means. The former Pakistan cricketer has questioned their picking, saying that they don’t know the tricks to make use of the conditions in Australia. As per Raja, the risk was not worth taking in Tests.
“Although Muhammad Musa Khan and Naseem Shah have potential, they are only [16 and] 18 years old and have never toured Australia. On what basis have you selected [a 16 and] 18-year-old thinking they will become world beaters when they don’t know what line and length to bowl in Australia? Ramiz stated in a YouTube video as quoted by cricketpakistan.com.pk.
“You can give a chance to one young bowler but you can’t base your entire attack on them. It is understandable to give chances to youngsters in T20s, but you can’t take such big risks in Test cricket,” the former Pakistan cricketer added.
Musa is presently a part of the Northern Pakistan team in the National T20 Cup and can bowl at over 140 kmph on a consistent basis. In two games, he has picked four wickets. Shah is a part of Central Punjab in the same tournament, having picked up three wickets. Both have a combined tally of 34 wickets in 12 matches at the red-ball level.
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