With Pakistan suffering a defeat against Australia in the ongoing one-day series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the cricket selectors here are now considering blooding young players in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup tournament in England next month.
Chief selector Abdul Qadir, who is in Abu Dhabi these days to watch the one-day series made it clear that he felt that T20 cricket was a youngman's sport.
"But obviously before finalising the 15-member squad for the World Cup we will discuss things with captain, Younis Khan. The captain is the general on the field and commands the side. We give a lot of importance to what the captain has to say on team composition," Qadir said.
But he indicated the selectors wanted to field a young side for the T20 World Cup as this format of the sport required players who besides batting and bowling could also save 10 to 15 runs on the field.
Indications are that the chief selector may opt to blood young players like hard hitting batsmen, Azhar Ali and Shahzeb Ahmed and more allrounders in the squad.
The selectors are expected to finalise their squad next week when the Pakistan and Australia series ends with a T20 match in Dubai on May 7. Pakistan is currently trailing 1-3 in the five-match ODI series.
Qadir also made it clear he was not swayed by the performances of senior and veteran players in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa.
"I think the sort of pressure that comes with playing for your country is not there in the IPL. No matter what one might say or argue. Playing for your national team is a different cup of tea altogether."
The former Test leg-spinner, however, insisted he would prefer to have a team which is a blend of experienced and youth.
Concerned by the lack of options, the selectors are also keen to give new talent exposure when the Pakistan A team tours Australia for a series in June.
"Players like Saeed Bin Nasir, Abdul Rauf, Khalid Latif, Tanveer Ahmed who have been performing well in domestic cricket will get their chance on the Australian tour," one selector said.