Akram criticises Younis demotion
Former fast bowler Wasim Akram has questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to downgrade batsman Younis Khan's central contract.
Former fast bowler Wasim Akram has questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to downgrade batsman Younis Khan's central contract.
Khan has been demoted from category B to A – and seamer Junaid Khan promoted from B to A. Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik have been removed from the contract list entirely.
Seamer Mohammad Irfan, meanwhile, is nursing a hip injury but has been earmarked to spearhead the bowling attack at next year's World Cup in Australasia.
"It is a mistake to demote Younis similarly it is hard on Irfan that he has been kept in category D, while at same time he is been considered a match-winner in the World Cup," Akram told <i>GEO news</i>.
Akram also advised the PCB to allow players to compete in the West Indies' premier domestic Twenty20 tournament – the Caribbean Premier League – rather than be restricted to training camps.
"I think it would be better if these players play in the Caribbean league because match exposure is always best for a player to prepare for the next challenge," he added.
Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests, three ODIs and a one-off Twenty20 International between 6 August and 3 October.
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