Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed has stirred up a heated debate by openly criticizing the exclusion of Karachi-based players Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza from the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
His comments have reignited concerns over potential bias in team selection, a topic that has long been a source of tension in Pakistan cricket.
Mir Hamza, Abrar Ahmed’s Omission Raises Eyebrows
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initially announced the release of Abrar Ahmed and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam from the Test squad for the first match, instead assigning them to a four-day match between Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A.
However, it was the omission of Mir Hamza that sparked a more significant outcry. Hamza, who many expected to be part of the playing XI, was dropped at the last minute. Instead, the team management opted for Mohammad Ali as the fourth pacer for the first Test against Bangladesh.
Read More: Waqar Younis Faces Backlash Over Dropping Abrar Ahmed
Tanvir Ahmed’s Fiery Response
Tanvir Ahmed didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration. He took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns, accusing the Pakistan team management of favoritism and bias against Karachi players.
His post in Urdu translated to, “Apologies first, Abrar Ahmed was dropped from the team, and now Mir Hamza has been removed too, just because they are from Karachi. Whenever a boy from Karachi starts making a place in the team, he is pushed out because some people can’t tolerate it.”
Tanvir’s remarks have added fuel to the ongoing debate about fairness and transparency in team selection. He argued that whenever a talented cricketer from Karachi begins to establish himself in the national team, he is unjustly sidelined.
Shan Masood’s Defense
In response to the criticism, Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood defended the decision to drop Hamza. He emphasized that the choice to include Mohammad Ali was based on the conditions and what the team needed for the match.
“We believe Mohammad Ali is well-suited for this role. He hits the deck hard, can move the ball in the air with the seam, and has that extra pace. It’s not about one bowler being better than another, but rather about who fits the conditions best,” Masood explained.
Read More: Shan Masood Dismisses Match-Fixing Allegations
A Broader Perspective
While Tanvir’s comments have highlighted perceived injustices, it’s worth noting that the current Pakistan playing XI does include three players from Karachi: captain Shan Masood, vice-captain Saud Shakeel, and opening batter Saim Ayub.
This fact complicates the narrative of complete exclusion and suggests that the situation might not be as clear-cut as it seems. The ongoing debate over the inclusion of Karachi players in the national team is not new.
It reflects broader issues within Pakistan cricket, where regional biases have often been suspected to influence selection decisions.
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