Chief selector says `lack of world-class` quicks concern for Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistan chief selector Iqbal Qasim has claimed the lack of quality fast bowlers in the country is a matter of concern for them, adding they need to nurture more quicks on the grassroots.

Qasim said selectors no longer had the luxury of choosing from an array of top fast bowlers, as the talent pool had dried up and the country needs to quickly find a new generation of pace greats like, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Qasim told a Pakistani news channel that the truth is, they are not getting quality fast bowlers in the footsteps of greats like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis or Shoaib Akhtar, and the situation is not encouraging in domestic cricket as well. Pakistan were recently whitewashed by South Africa in a three-test series and their most experienced pace man, Umar Gul, grabbed just five wickets in two matches at an average of 45 each. Pakistan had prided themselves on producing world class fast bowlers such as Imran Khan, Akram, Waqar, Shoaib and Mohammad Asif, despite the absence of favourable conditions. However, they lost two of their best bowlers, Asif and Mohammad Amir in 2011, after the duo were banned by the International Cricket Council for spot-fixing, during a series in England. The pair also served jail sentences. Qasim added when this ongoing South African tour is over, they will need to discover new talent, bowlers that can bowl fast, adding the board is keen to identify raw talent in domestic cricket and have them groomed in a special bowling camp with help from Wasim and Waqar. ANI