Rashid Latif: “Sufiyan Muqeem from Kashmir is repeatedly included and dropped. He deserves consistent chances”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif is frustrated spinner Sufiyan Muqeem is not getting consistent chances to shine at the international level.
Muqeem has shown great promise so far, taking 27 wickets in 19 T20Is, which includes a five-wicket haul, at an average of 14.74 and an economy rate of 6.28.
He has also played two ODIs, claiming eight wickets at an average of 22.75.
Despite his outstanding performances, he was not picked for the white-ball series against South Africa, the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Expressing his disbelief, Latif questioned how a player like Muqeem, who has had a massive impact in such a short period of time, can be ignored.
“Sufiyan Muqeem from Kashmir is repeatedly included and dropped. He deserves consistent chances,” he was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
While away from the national team, Muqeem played for Khan Research Laboratories in the President’s Cup Grade-I (1-Day) tournament, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in nine matches at an average of 12.90.
The 26-year-old is now involved in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and recorded figures of 1-12 off his four overs in his first game for Rangpur Riders against Chattogram Royals.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of Sri Lanka, where they will play three T20Is in Dambulla from January 7 to 11.
However, Muqeem once again failed to make the cut when the squad was announced.
Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq