Faisal Iqbal: “Why [is] Haseebullah the opener at 6? What’s wrong with the management”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan cricketer Faisal Iqbal has slammed the team management for making Haseebullah Khan bat at number six when he predominantly plays at an opener.
He questioned the sense behind the move, noting all it did was put unnecessary pressure on the 21-year-old to deliver at a position he hasn’t played at.
During the tour of Australia, Haseebullah featured in two T20Is and scored 36 runs at an average of 18.
He then played one ODI against Zimbabwe, but was dismissed for a second-ball duck.
Faisal noted that the Pishin native is a very talented batsman, but needs to be given proper opportunities at a position where he is accustomed to batting. If that doesn’t happen, it will be hard for him to showcase what he can actually do for the national team.
“Why [is] Haseebullah the opener at 6? What’s wrong with the management,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan are currently touring South Africa and trail 1-0 in the ongoing two-Test series after losing the 1st Test in Centurion by two wickets.
The 2nd Test got underway on January 3 in Cape Town.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20I Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
Pakistan Squad for South Africa Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha