Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja has voiced his concern about the unprecedented delay in the T20 World Cup squad announcement. The Babar Azam-led side will open their campaign against hosts USA on June 6, before locking horns with arch-rivals India on June 9 in New York.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Raja highlighted how Pakistan is the only remaining team out of the 20 countries who still have not announced their World Cup squad.
“Pakistan is the only team that has yet to announce their squad for the T20 World Cup…They are still trying to read the potential. All players are on trial. It feels like every player is on trial,” Raja said.
“Some bowlers look under pressure. Hasan Ali had a bad outing, and Mohammad Amir’s performance was flat. What is the role of Abbas Afridi? He looks like Saim Ayub, a lost cause,” he added.
Despite being critical of most players, Ramiz Raja only had good things to say about Babar Azam’s recent form in international cricket.
“Babar’s strike rate has been outstanding, even in his innings, he played really well. Even though it came weak bowling line-up, runs are runs. You need to announce the World Cup squad quickly because not each player can be on trial”.
Pakistan recently avoided multiple defeats against Ireland by pulling off a six-wicket win in the final T20I to bag the series 2-1 in Dublin. Babar Azam stood out in the game after forming a 139-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan. Their partnership rescued the match for the Asian giants after Saim Ayub was unsuccessful in providing the side with an ideal start.
Pakistan’s pacers underwent a rough patch in the Ireland series. Shaheen Shah Afridi did find some scalps but proved costly for the Asian side. The duo of Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah played two games in the three-match series. They combined for four wickets while giving away a whopping 96 runs. In the third game, Naseem was dropped for Hasan Ali who conceded 42 runs in a mere three overs.
Pakistan will next take on England in a four-match T20I series ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. The first match of the series will be played on May 22 at the Headingley Cricket Ground.
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