By Sidra Kausary (Pakdestiny.com) Asia Cup and T20 has been one of the very esteemed events in the world of sports. While considering Pakistan’s team, which was not in form in last few international cricket events, it is necessary to have a great team.Pakistan have made four changes to their squad for this month’s Asia Cup followed by the World Twenty20 including the axing of struggling opener Ahmed Shehzad after a poor run of form.
But now when the squad was announced, it actually disappointed cricket lovers. Till now Pakistan have made four changes to their squad for this month’s Asia Cup followed by the World Twenty20 including the axing of struggling opener Ahmed Shehzad after a poor run of form.
That is not the only thing, on the contrary, Pakistan have picked four uncapped players in the T20I format – batsmen Khurram Manzoor and Babar Azam, fast bowler Rumman Raees, and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz – in their squad for the World T20 in India in March and April.
Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan also returned to the squad after missing the recent T20 internationals in New Zealand, espncricinfo reported on Wednesday.
They left out opener Ahmed Shehzad from the squad that toured New Zealand in January, along with batsmen Shoaib Maqsood and Saad Nasim, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, all-rounder Aamer Yamin and fast bowler Umar Gul.
Pakistan’s bowling unit includes Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Anwar Ali while Gul – who failed to impress the selectors on his latest comeback from injury – has been dropped.
Pakistan didn’t name a specialist spinner but banked on all-rounders Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim and new face Mohammad Nawaz – a left-arm spinner and full-time batsman.
Nawaz – who picked up 10 wickets in the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 in Australia – has been a standout player with both bat and ball in the Pakistan Super League, where he is currently the top wicket-taker.
Squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Khurram Manzoor, Rumman Raees. Pakdestiny.com
When people of Pakistan are cherishing the revival of cricket in the name of PSL, this news is not less than any shock for them. This is necessary to mention here that Ahmed Shehzad’s ODI record in recent months bodes only slightly better but scores of 95 and 44 in victories over Sri Lanka during his last eight outings highlight both his worth and ability.
Shehzad scored two fifties at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and though they came against associate nations – 93 versus UAE and 63 against Ireland – it does not detract from the fact that runs of substance were plundered at a global tournament.
He has shown potential in Pakistan Super League and is currently the fourth highest run scorer in the competition. From his four matches with the Quetta Gladiators, Shehzad has 113 runs at 28.25 and a strike-rate of 146.75. So this is very detrimental fo Pakistan not to take him into team. -Pakdestiny.com