Imad Wasim’s Exclusion from Pakistan T20I Team Raises Questions
Former Pakistan cricketers have expressed their bewilderment over the omission of all-rounder Imad Wasim from the team for the first T20I against New Zealand. Wasim, who recently came out of retirement, was expected to play a key role in the team’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket, Wasim was left out of the playing eleven, sparking criticism from former players. Iqbal Qasim, a former Test player, questioned the logic behind the decision, stating that Wasim should have played instead of Shadab Khan.
Mohsin Khan, a former player and chief selector, emphasized the importance of giving players like Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who also came out of retirement, ample playing time to regain their form. He believes that they need to overcome the “rustiness” of not playing international cricket for an extended period.
It is speculated that the decision to exclude Wasim may be related to his strained relationship with Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Azam is said to have left the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League due to Wasim’s presence.
Former captain Mohammad Hafeez has claimed that Wasim retired from international cricket after feeling mistreated by the team management, including Azam.
Despite the controversy surrounding Wasim’s omission, cricket analyst Omar Alavi believes that Azam must make decisions based on merit and situational requirements. He emphasized that Azam has a second chance to create his legacy as Pakistan captain and must ensure that selections are made fairly.
Pakistan will face New Zealand, Ireland, and England in a series of T20Is in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. The team will be looking to maximize their preparations and build momentum ahead of the tournament.
