Mohammad Yousuf: “Until players have played first-class cricket, they shouldn’t be allowed in the PSL. Salman Mirza is a very talented bowler, but if he hasn’t come through the proper pathway, he shouldn’t play”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has acknowledged that left-arm seamer Salman Mirza “is a very talented bowler”, but stressed that he should not be playing international cricket without progressing through the proper pathway.
Yousuf believes players should first establish themselves in domestic cricket, particularly in the first-class format, before earning opportunities in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
To date, Mirza has featured in just six first-class matches, taking 31 wickets at an average of 21.54.
Despite his limited domestic experience, he has become a regular member of Pakistan’s T20I squad, claiming 23 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 16.13 and an economy rate of 6.43.
“Until players have played first-class cricket, they shouldn’t be allowed in the PSL. Salman Mirza is a very talented bowler, but if he hasn’t come through the proper pathway, he shouldn’t play,” Yousuf was quoted as saying by TOK Sports.
Pakistan are currently preparing for a two-Test series against the West Indies, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
They will then head to England to play three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah