Kamran Akmal: “You invested three years on Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, but at the time of the main event [World Cup], you picked a new guy [Mohammad Hasnain]”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has lashed out at the national selectors for picking pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain for the World Cup ahead of left-arm seamers Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Usman Khan Shinwari.

Hasnain made his international debut in the recent five-match ODI series against Australia, where he took two wickets in three games at an average of 78.

He was called up to the national team for his performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he claimed 12 wickets in seven games for the Quetta Gladiators at an average of 17.58.

The 19-year-old was thus picked in the World Cup squad, but Amir and Shinwari failed to make the cut.

However, Pakistan are allowed to make changes to their World Cup team without permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) until May 23.

“You invested three years on Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, but at the time of the main event [World Cup], you picked a new guy [Mohammad Hasnain],” he was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “How would these players feel? They performed for years, but when the main event comes and it is the time to show off their skills in front of the world, they are not selected.”

Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.

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