‘Makes no sense’ – Former Pakistan cricketers question Imad Wasim’s exclusion from first New Zealand T20I

Imad Wasim. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

The highly-anticipated T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off due to inclement weather as only two deliveries were bowled in the entirety of the match. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi cleaned up Kiwi debutant Tim Robinson for a silver duck before the rain gods intervened.

Meanwhile, the team management’s decision to exclude Imad Wasim from the playing XI didn’t sit well with quite a few former Pakistani cricketers. For the unversed, Mohammad Amir and Imad reversed their retirements and got a call-up for the New Zealand series ahead of the T20 World Cup in June. Although the former was selected in the XI, the latter was left to warm the benches. 

There have been widespread speculations that Babar Azam and Imam share a strained relationship. Former Pakistani captain and current team director, Mohammad Hafeez, had indicated that Imad’s decision to retire from international cricket stemmed from the unfair treatment by the team management, including Babar.

Former head coach and ex-chief selector of Pakistan, Mohsin Khan, was of the opinion that the likes of Amir and Imam need as much gametime as possible to gel with the team and prepare themselves to ply their trade at the highest level.

“So much hue and cry over bringing back Imad and Amir, and they must get maximum matches to overcome their rustiness in international cricket,” remarked Mohsin.

Also Read: Anticipated rain could hinder Pakistan-New Zealand T20I series

Iqbal Qasim, stated that the decision to leave out Imam for Shadab Khan didn’t add up for him. “It makes no sense to me, honestly, Imad should have played in place of Shadab Khan.”

Renowned cricket writer and analyst, Omar Alavi, believed that with the second spell of captaincy being handed to Babar, he must maximize it to the fullest by opting for players based on aptitude and contextual requisities.

“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 requirements,” reasoned Alavi.

The two sides will meet in the second T20I of the series in Rawalpindi on April 20.