ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain and member of Pakistan Cricket Boards (PCB) coaching selecting committee Zaheer Abbas said that Twenty-20 skipper Muhammad Hafeezs future elevation to captain from vice-captain will be based on his performance in all three types of formats.

“Hafeez is the right choice as T-20 Captain as currently he is the only choice. He is scoring runs and taking wickets for the team. If he performs well then obviously that will be the right choice in future as well for the captaincy,” Zaheer said.

Talking about Umar Akmal been discarded from Test squad bound for Sri Lanka, Zaheer said it is Umar’s inability to adapt to demands of the longer game that has caused him to lose out. “If Umar has been playing T20 shots in Test matches then that is to be expected, as these are 2 different forms of the game. He has been playing for Pakistan for a while now and he should know what shots to play and when to play those, he must play on the merit of each ball bowled to him,” he said.

Commenting about the inclusion of Shoaib Malik in the shorter forms of the game, Zaheer said, “I am not sure if he can deliver what the team needs but let see how this pans out. As you know, T20 is a strange format  you score 25 run in 5 balls and then suddenly he will be looking like a good choice,” he said.

Responding to a question, Zaheer said Mohammed Sami ‘ s inclusion in all 3 teams for the tour of Sri Lanka, Zaheer said a bowler of Sami’s experience and express pace must be given another chance, especially given the dearth of proven fast bowling resources in all three squads.

“The selection committee wanted to try him out. They wanted to see if his line and length has improved, if it has then it is a good thing. We do lack some good fast bowlers in the team so to me, this is a good choice,” he concluded.