Over Imad Wasim's Omission From XI Ex-Pakistan Stars Fume
The omission of Imad Wasim has been questioned by former players after he was left out of the Pakistan team for the first T20I against New Zealand. He has come out of retirement to play international cricket again. Ahead of the T20 World Cup in June this year, Wasim and left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir came out of retirement after much convincing, but the spin bowling all-rounder did not find a place in the eleven on Thursday.
Only two balls were bowled as incessant rains washed out the first T20I here, with Pakistan handing debuts to UAE-based off-spinner Usman Khan, middle-order batter and seamer Irfan Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Former Test player Iqbal Qasim said, "It makes no sense to me, honestly, Imad should have played in place of Shadab Khan." Mohsin Khan, former player, head coach and chief selector said players such as Imad and Amir must play all games to 'overcome rustiness'.
"So much hue and cry over bringing back Imad and Amir and they must get maximum matches to overcome their rustiness in international cricket," he said.
However, cricket writer and analyst Omar Alavi believes Babar must take right decisions in his second stint.Alavi said, "Babar has got a second chance to create his own legacy as Pakistan captain but to do that he has to ensure selection on merit and situational requirement.”