PAK vs NZ: PCB adds Arafat, two others to Test squad against New Zealand

Three high-performing teenagers — Arafat Minhas, Basit Ali and Mohammad Zeeshan — have been added to the national Test squad for the ongoing two-match series against New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday.

As part of its strategy and vision to develop, grow and incentivise high-performing talented youngsters, the Men's Interim Selection Committee have added three top-performers from age-group cricket to the Pakistan Test squad with the objective of providing them international exposure and experience.

All-rounder Arafat belongs to Multan, top-order batter Basit hails from Dera Murad Jamali, while right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Zeeshan is from Faisalabad. 

Shahid Afridi, Chair of Men’s Interim Selection Committee, said: "We are not only looking at present but also have an eye on the future. In this relation, we have added three top-performers from our age-group cricket so that they can spend time with their stars in the national side and learn how to plan and prepare for high pressure matches.

"Although the three players will not be available for selection, this initiative will fast track their progress and provide them better awareness, understanding and knowledge about the rigours and demands of top-grade cricket."

Arafat Minhas was adjudged best all-rounder of the Pakistan Junior League (PJL) when he scored 178 runs and took nine wickets for Gwadar Sharks, while Bahawalpur Royals’ Basit Ali was named player and best batter of the PJL with after finishing as the top-scorer with 379 runs. He also featured in the U19 series against Bangladesh in Multan in November.

Zeeshan, Basit's team-mate at PJL, was declared the best bowler of the tournament with 14 wickets.

It is worth mentioning here that that the Mohammad Nawaz, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Sajid Khan were made available for their respective domestic sides for the 27 December fixtures of the Pakistan Cup amid the ongoing Test series against New Zealand.

"The move will allow players to continue to get match time under their belts and make a case for their selection for the three ICC Men's Super League One-Day Internationals against New Zealand in January," the board said.

However, the national cricket governing body clarified that the players will still be part of the national side's Test squad against the Kiwis.

It must be noted that Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja was sacked just days after the national team suffered a humiliating first-ever 3-0 home series whitewash at the hands of England, according to a government notice.

But a change had been on the cards since April, when Imran Khan — a former national captain — was ousted as prime minister and replaced by Shehbaz Sharif.

Raja, a member of Khan´s 1992 World Cup-winning side, was appointed chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in September last year.

A government notice seen by AFP said Sharif´s cabinet had dismissed Raja, and the PCB would now be run by a 14-member committee headed by Najam Sethi, who has twice served as chairman.

The committee also includes legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is a former captain of the men´s team.

The government notice also said the current constitution of the board has been scrapped, and one dating from 2014 revived.

The committee will have 120 days to change the constitution and elect a new chairman.

Khan came under fire for changing the PCB's constitution in 2019 — in particular for abolishing the role of government departments and private entities in first-class cricket, leaving hundreds unemployed.

However, in his tweet, Sethi said "thousands of cricketers will be employed again".

"The famine in cricket will come to an end," he added.