‘Pakistan is disrespecting and undermining Test cricket’

Former England captain and broadcaster Nasser Hussain has criticised Pakistan’s decision to fly in Saim Ayub from the Caribbean Premier League and hand him a Test debut after nearly 11 months away from red-ball cricket, saying the move showed a lack of respect for the format.

Ayub last played a Test for Pakistan in January last year and has not featured in first-class cricket since the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in October. He had recently been used almost exclusively in limited-overs cricket before being called up during Pakistan’s ongoing England tour.

Pakistan made sweeping changes after losing the first two Tests, sending the head coach, bowling coach and seven players home. Ayub was then drafted into the squad and opened in the third Test at The Oval, despite having been in the Caribbean playing for Jamaica Kingsmen.

He had scored his maiden T20 century in the CPL shortly before the call-up, smashing 102 off 58 balls with eight sixes. But his return to Test cricket has been difficult. He was dismissed for a 10-ball duck in the first innings at The Oval and fell to the first ball of Pakistan’s second innings on Thursday.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Hussain criticised Ayub’s loose shot but said the bigger issue was Pakistan’s decision to select him in the first place.

“If you haven’t played first-class cricket for 11 months and were playing in the CPL just 10 days ago, you cannot simply be flown into England and expected to cope with a completely different format, conditions and a Dukes ball against an attack featuring Ollie Robinson,” Hussain said.

He added that Test cricket is the toughest format and batting at the top of the order in England is among its biggest challenges. Pakistan, he suggested, appeared to be treating Test cricket as though a player could be brought in from anywhere and immediately expected to perform.

Pakistan are in deep trouble in the third Test after losing the opening two matches. They need another 268 runs to make England bat again, with eight wickets remaining.