Shoaib Akhtar: “In regards to Alam, the decision was by selectors, captain and coach”

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Legendary Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes that the decision to overlook all-rounder Fawad Alam for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England had to have been a unanimous one.

Alam’s omission from the squad has been heavily criticised by numerous former players, including Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif and Younis Khan.

“Without the consent of the captain, how can Alam have not been selected? I am sure the skipper did not ask for Alam,” Akhtar was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “In regards to Alam, the decision was by selectors, captain and coach and it’s wrong to say that one of them took that decision.”

Meanwhile, Akhtar acknowledged that Pakistan will struggle in England, but added that things will be much tougher for them when they take on Ireland, who will be playing their first-ever Test match.

“The tour of England will be tough but the Test match against Ireland will be tougher as we will face a seaming track,” he said. “The players will have to grab this opportunity and not say that this is a new team and we find it hard to fight. The attitude has to be there to stay on the crease.”

Pakistan’s Test match against Ireland will get underway on May 11 in Dublin, while their tour of England will consist of two Tests, with the first beginning on May 24 at Lord’s. The second Test will be held at Headingley in Leeds on June 1.