Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee and Waqar Younis over the exclusion of Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam from the squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.
The surprise decision by the selection committee to drop the leg-spinner Abrar and all-rounder Kamran ahead of the first Test, set for August 21 in Rawalpindi, has sparked significant debate.
Both players will now join the Pakistan Shaheens squad for their four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A’ beginning on August 20 in Islamabad.
Tanvir Ahmed took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his disappointment, specifically targeting Waqar Younis, who recently assumed a new advisory role within the PCB.
Tanvir accused the advisor to the PCB Chairman Waqar Younis and the selection committee of jeopardizing Pakistan cricket’s future with their choices, expressing disbelief over the omission of two key players.
“Shame on this third-class selection committee that dropped Abrar and Kamran Ghulam from the team. Where is Waqar Younis, who parades around as a great legend?” he wrote, questioning the rationale behind the decision.
With Abrar and Kamran out, Pakistan’s spin options for the first Test are limited. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza are expected to lead the pace attack, while Agha Salman is likely to be the primary spinner.
The second Test has been moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi due to renovations at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium in preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.