Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq laughed off suggestions that the management had made a mistake by not selecting any back-up wicketkeeping options for the tour of England.

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed is the only recognised wicketkeeper in the 16-man squad for the tour to England and Ireland. Pakistan play one Test against Ireland and two against England along with three first-class matches, the first of which finished on Tuesday.

Inzamam was asked whether selectors had missed a trick by not picking a second man behind the stumps, with one reporter asking what happens if Sarfraz gets injured or even catches a cold. Inzamam replied jokingly: “We will try that Sarfraz doesn’t catch a cold.”

According to statistician Mazher Arshad, no team in the last five years has toured England with just one wicketkeeper. Keeping that in mind, it’s even more perplexing Pakistan have started their tour with no back up for their wicketkeeper captain.