Tourists look to ring changes against Worcestershire

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s manager Intikhab Alam hinted at making changes for the two-day side match against Worcestershire starting from Friday (today).

Talking to ‘The News’ soon after reaching Worcester, Intikhab said that changes were necessary as the team management wanted to give chance to those players who had yet to flex their muscles. “We plan to give chances to those players who have yet to play any match on the tour. Till now Pakistan have played with almost the same batting line up. Changes are required and will be made for the match against Worcestershire. We want to check the back-up strength here and have set our options open for the third Test,” Itikhab said.

Chances are that Sami Aslam and Iftikhar Ahmad will be seen in action. Imran Khan and Sohail Khan may also be given opportunity against Worcestershire. Zulfiqar Baber is also expected to be part of the playing XI in the side match. He is likely to take the field during the fourth Test at The Oval.

“Victory and loss is very much part of the game. We have tasted both. I am confident that the team will bounce back by playing some good cricket during the rest of the series,” Intikhab said.

When asked to comment on the team’s morale, Intikhab said there was nothing wrong with the team’s morale as every player was confident of a fight back. “The players are confident that they will do better during the rest of the series as they did at Lord’s,” he said.

Intikhab confirmed that there was no urgency to recheck Mohammad Hafeez’s bowling action. “Hafeez is concentrating on his batting rather than his bowling. He needs time to work on his bowling before a fresh test. We are in no hurry,” the team manager said.

‘The News’ has learnt from well-placed sources that the team coaching staff headed by Mickey Arthur is not happy with performance of top three cricketers and has decided to test the backup players.

Azhar Ali, Shan Masood and Mohammad Hafeez have failed to show resilience against England’s bowling. There is a chance of Sami Aslam getting in the playing eleven. Ifikhar Ahmad can also be given opportunity if he shows form in the side match.