Babar Azam, Pakistan’s all-format captain, has said categorically that he will not select seasoned all-rounder Shoaib Malik for the T20 World Cup 2022 team, stating that the time is not right to change the team. Babar Azam told the media before of the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands,
“There are matches directly following the Netherlands, therefore there is likely to be time for changes.”
Shoaib Malik, Pakistan’s most experienced cricketer, was expected to join the team for the Asia Cup 2022, but Babar has expressed trust in fresh faces. I
n answer to a query about Malik’s selection for the T20I World Cup, Babar said that, although he and Hafeez were important members of the national team, it was now more important to focus on their replacement.
The national team captain went on to say that players like Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Iftikhar Ahmed have recently played well, thus more matches and confidence are needed to fill the hole left by all-rounders.
In response to a question on Hasan Ali’s removal from the team for the Netherlands series and the Asia Cup 2022, Babar said,
“I know Hasan Ali is out of form, but he doesn’t have to show anything.”
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It is important to note that the Babar-led team flew to the Netherlands today. They have three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) scheduled starting August 16.
