Abid Ali: “Pakistan[‘s] T20 squad needs impact players, not passengers. Babar, Shaheen, Shadab and others must earn their spots through performance, not past glory. Fans deserve fight, not excuses. Time to reset”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran Pakistan opener Abid Ali thinks batsman Babar Azam, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan need to be axed from the T20I team aas part of a reset.
He noted that the trio have to earn their spots through strong performances, like any other player.
Since they have been falling short of the mark, Abid suggested it is time to give other cricketers a chance until Azam, Afridi and Shadab prove they are worthy of another opportunity in T20Is.
“Pakistan[‘s] T20 squad needs impact players, not passengers. Babar, Shaheen, Shadab and others must earn their spots through performance, not past glory. Fans deserve fight, not excuses. Time to reset,” he said on X.
Pakistan recently played two Tests against Bangladesh and three ODIs against Australia, which they lost 2-0 and won 2-1 respectively.
Their next assignment will be a two-Test tour of the West Indies, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
The men in green will then travel to England for three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah