It would be difficult to have second test after two months: Misbah ul Haq

The Pakistan Cricket Board has (PCB) has announced the squad for the Rawalpindi test on Saturday and the test match is to be played from 7-11 February. However, the second test is to take place two-three months later, in April, which according to the chief-coach-cum selector, Misbah ul Haq, can cause trouble in the performance of the players.

While having a conversation with media on Saturday after announcing the squad for the first test, he said that,

“It is very difficult (to have 2nd Test after 2 months). It is a big problem, not for me, but, for the players. The player who will play the first test and hit a hundred will have to wait for the second test (2 months) and to start over again.”

It can be difficult for the players to maintain the momentum and retain their potential as the time span between two matches is more than enough. The second test will be taking place at Karachi, National Stadium after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) fifth edition will reach its ending.

Pakistan squad for 1st Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi:

Azhar Ali (c), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Asif, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah.

After denouncing the squad, Misbah discussed the elimination of the players such as Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari who was exceptional in his last matches and how he has preferred Bilal Asif and Faheem Ashraf over them respectively.

“Kashif Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities” He added.

He has assured that the eliminated players will be considered for red-ball cricket to be played later this year and they shall not be disappointed as they still exist in our plans.

Misbah-ul-Haq: “We have followed the horses for courses policy for the match against Bangladesh. I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.”