MOHAMMAD Ilyas has revealed Pakistan will delay naming their squad to face England in the new year until the end of the current series against Bangladesh.
England named their touring party on Friday morning, but Ilyas, acting chief selector for the Pakistan side, is watching keenly as his players battle with the Tigers, working out who will be retained for the series with the world’s number-one-ranked side.
“The selection committee will meet after the series in Bangladesh is concluded and then decide upon the squad,” Ilyas told the Pakpassion website.
“The series against England is a huge one and we need to ensure that we select what we believe will be the best group of players to play against England.
“There is no point in selecting the Test squad yet, we want to make sure that the players in Bangladesh are given every opportunity to impress ahead of the matches against England.”
Ilyas added that he knew who the majority of players would be, but is prepared to load up the spin department when England land in the United Arab Emirates.
“I expect more sporting wickets that will hopefully have something in them for all types of bowlers as well as offer good value to the batsmen,” he said.
“I expect the series to be a close one and the standard of cricket should be very high. England are an excellent all-round team, but Pakistan are improving and also playing some very good cricket.
“I do expect spin to play a key part in the series and the spinners could eventually turn out to be the match-winners from both sides.
“(Abdur) Rehman and (Saeed) Ajmal are a very impressive pair of spinners for Pakistan and England have a high quality spinner in Graeme Swann and also (Monty) Panesar is an experienced cricketer.” (PA Sport)