Since Pakistan’s defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asian Cup final, there has been much talk about the Asian giants’ weak middle class. Pakistan lost two games in a row to the islanders and conceded the Asian Cup title. The lack of technically savvy mid-range strikers is seen as a major reason for this and several former players have asked the selectors to investigate before announcing the team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
Former captain and veteran batter Shoaib Malik has been out of the team since the last T20 World Cup where Pakistan lost in the semi-finals, and Malik recently wrote a cryptic post on Twitter hinting at his dismay at not being got a chance.
– When do we get out of friendship, sympathy and aversion to culture.
Allah always helps the honest…— Shoaib Malik ?? (@realshoaibmalik) September 11, 2022
Now Malik has the backing of one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing legends. According to an Indian Express report, Inzamam-ul-Haq, former batter, captain and selector, threw his weight behind Malik during a recent interaction with reporters in Pakistan.
“I think Shan Masood and Sharjeel (Khan) and Shoaib Malik should be in the team, especially in the middle rank,” Inzamam told reporters in Pakistan.
When asked about Malik’s tweet, Inzamam said: “Such allegations have been made in the past and will continue to exist in the future. We must understand that selection is not a one man decision, there is a team of selectors, coach and captain who takes a phone call (when selected). I can’t comment on friendships, but yes, likes-dislikes are everywhere.”
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He was also candid about Babar Azam’s loss of form and Pakistan’s weak Asian Cup middle rankings, which the selectors should look at.
“Yes, it’s been a long time since Babar Azam didn’t score in a tournament. He is a big player and can regain his form, but the main concern for Pakistan should be the middle class, which didn’t work for the team. The middle order should be changed. Australia (hosting the World Cup) will be a different ball game and selectors should take this into account when choosing the team for the T20 World Cup,” he added.
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