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"No reason...": Pakistan legend slams decision to select Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali vs SA

Jatin

Mohammad Yousuf has questioned Pakistan's selection [Source: @khurram_rana56/x.com]Mohammad Yousuf has questioned Pakistan's selection [Source: @khurram_rana56/x.com]

The first Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium has already thrown up plenty of talking points; from Imam-ul-Haq’s and Agha Salman’s 93 run knocks to Senuran Muthusamy and Nomal Ali’s six wicket hauls. But in the middle of all that, a sharp comment from Pakistan legend Mohammad Yousuf has lit up social media.

Mohammad Yousuf criticises Pakistan’s approach against South Africa

The former batting maestro took to X to voice his concerns over the team’s bowling strategy, warning that Pakistan might be overusing their pace spearheads on a surface made for spinners.

“There’s no reason to burn out Shaheen and Hasan Ali on these slow, spin-friendly pitches! Aamir Jamal and Faisal Akram would be better options,” Yousuf wrote and it didn’t take long for his words to start doing the rounds.

Yousuf’s warning on workload

Yousuf’s post comes at a time when both Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali have been working overtime on a flat Lahore track that has offered very little assistance to fast bowlers. While Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have bagged nine wickets between them in the first innings, Pakistan’s pacers have looked like they are toiling in no man’s land.

Shaheen’s five overs in South Africa’s first innings went wicketless and Hasan barely got enough overs to make an impact. With the match now heading into the later stages and the pitch breaking up nicely for spin, Yousuf’s comments echo what many fans have been murmuring: why tire out the quicks when the surface is tailor-made for spinners?

The case for Aamir Jamal and Faisal Akram

The two names Yousuf mentioned: Aamir Jamal and Faisal Akram aren’t random picks. Aamir has been one of Pakistan’s most improved all-rounders in domestic cricket, capable of hitting hard lengths and contributing handy runs down the order. On the other hand, Faisal is a left-arm wrist spinner who has been turning heads with his sharp drift and bounce.

With the surface already crumbling under Lahore’s afternoon heat, a third spinner could have been gold dust for Pakistan. Yousuf’s argument, in essence, is about balance and letting Shaheen and Hasan breathe while giving the conditions a proper read.