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'Bhajji should not have been dropped'
Legend Abdul Qadir criticised the omission of office Harbhajan Singh from the Indian team in the Mohali Test.
Leg spin legend Abdul Qadir on Saturday criticised the omission of office Harbhajan Singh from the Indian team in the Mohali Test and said absence of a second spinner snatched victory from the home side.
"The Indian team selection was wrong. Harbhajan should not have been dropped. Had he been included in the playing XI instead of Zaheer Khan, India would have won," said the former Pak bowler, known for his lethal googlies.
Questioning the Indian selectors' policy of persisting with Zaheer Khan despite the bowler not having performed impressively in recent times, Qadir said "He should be asked to play some first class cricket and improve his performance and fitness. Then only should he be taken back".
Qadir, who played 67 Tests scalping 236 wickets, felt that neither Pakistan nor India had put in a proper plan for the Test series, which became apparent at Mohali.
"The Indian opening attack of Laxmipathy Balaji and Irfan Pathan should have been backed by the spin resources of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Pakistan should have included Arshad Khan as the second spinner by leaving out pacer Mohammad Sami who has not been at his best for some time," he said.
Qadir, who had a day's halt in the city yesterday enroute to Silchar to lead the Pakistan veterans against Indian veterans tomorrow, felt that the Inzamam-led side would benefit if Shahid Afridi was taken in as an opening batsman and Shoaib Maliq came as one down.
"Spinner Arshad Khan should be in the team. Younis Khan and Mohammad Sami should be kept out, along with one of the opening batsmen who played in the Mohali Test. With Afridi and Maliq in the side, there will be more options before the Pakistan skipper as far as bowling is concerned," Qadir told reporters here.
Qadir, however, praised wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, who scored a brilliant maiden Test century to save the match for Pakistan.
"A lot of credit should go to Akmal for the way he played," he said.
