‘Will India play without Ashwin or Jadeja in Tests?’: Ex-Pakistan batter blasts PCB for sidelining front-line spinner Abrar Ahmed – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan keeper-batter Kamran Akmal has expressed strong criticism over the team management’s decision to drop leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed from the 17-man squad ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh.
In a conversation with Cricket Pakistan, Akmal highlighted the inconsistency in team selection and questioned the rationale behind sidelining a talented spinner like Abrar.
“With Jason Gillespie, we are talking about the Australian mindset. But can Australia play without Nathan Lyon? Will India play without either Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja? No, they won’t. You have Abrar, but you have shut down his confidence so much,” Akmal remarked.
He emphasized that Abrar, who had shown great potential, was being sidelined due to what he believes are personal biases within the management.

Akmal also pointed out the rise of Yasir Shah, a once-dominant leg-spinner for Pakistan, who would take 400 to 450 wickets due to the support received from the management.
“Due to personal likes and dislikes, that boy (Abrar) has been ruined. His fitness and off-the-field issues were highlighted, and because of that, you’ve spoiled that boy and harmed Pakistan,” Akmal asserted.
The decision to drop Abrar ahead of the Test match has also drawn criticism from other former cricketers. Basit Ali, another former player, expressed disappointment, saying that a genuine spinner should have been included in the squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Abrar and uncapped batter Kamran Ghulam, who were both released from the Test squad, would play for Pakistan Shaheens in a four-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’.
They are expected to rejoin the Test squad ahead of the second match, scheduled to start on August 30.
Pakistan’s decision to go with an all-pace attack has sparked debate, with many arguing that the absence of a specialist spinner could be a significant gamble.