08 December,2011 08:12 AM IST | | Agencies
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram is perplexed by the Indian selectors' decision to opt for Abhimanyu Mithun ahead of Irfan Pathan for the four-Test series in Australia. "I would've definitely picked Irfan. His previous experiences in Australia would have been a boost to Team India. I don't know why he wasn't considered," Akram told MobileESPN yesterday.
Irfan Pathan with Duncan Fletcher ahead of the fourth ODI vs WI
at Indore yesterday. Pic/AFP
Pathan, who staked a claim by picking up 21 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls, in four Ranji Trophy matches this season, was picked for the last two one-dayers in the ongoing series against the West Indies.
Akram felt bringing back the buoyant Irfan at this stage would have been ideal. "Irfan has hit peak form, and it would have been perfect to unleash him at this stage. He looks confident and his swing would have been very handy in those conditions," added Akram.
"If they gave Abhimanyu Mithun an opportunity in the Ahmedabad ODI, it would have only been fair to see how Irfan performed in the remaining two games. I think it's a bit unfair, but the selectors probably had a different line of thinking," Akram said. The Pakistan pace great had mentored Irfan in the past.
