After Pakistan's loss against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2022 final last month, many former cricketers have felt a need to recall experienced players like Shoaib Malik or Mohammad Hafeez in the squad and even criticized the selectors for snubbing the veteran players. Recently, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja has broken his silence over the matter.
Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named in the squad for the shortest format world cup after initially being ruled out due to an injury. The 22-year-old pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October, the PCB stated.
Speaking to Geo News, Ramiz Raja explained that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam should be nourished with skillful batting options for the middle order rather than criticizing the team selection for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
Raja said, "Humlogo ne pichle T20 me kiya tha, mujhe koi problem nehin hain. Mere jo philosophy hain na cricket ki aur achhi team ki woh yeh hain ki ek consistency chaiye selection main. Dusra, aapko captain ko strong karna chaiye. Humrahe bench main koi Lionel Messi nehi baitha huya hain, aur humne ekdom hi raddi players ko rakha hain.
"Humare options limited hain. And isiliye option ko barane kiliye and talent pool ko increase karne kiliye junior level ke upar bohot kaam kar rahein hain. May be iss wqat hit and miss hain...but mera philosophy wohi hain ki captain ko strong karna chaiye. Unko aap options de ki kin players ko khilana chaiye."
Pakistan are currently in Christchurch for the tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh. The Men in Green will leave for Australia next week where they will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against arch-rivals India on October 22.