Mohammad Yousuf: “Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf believes time is up for batsman Babar Azam, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and spin-bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan in the T20I team.
He noted that the trio have been falling short of expectations and need to be removed from the side in order to give other players who have been doing well a chance to shine at the international level.
Even though Azam, Afridi and Shadab have produced plenty of memorable performances over the years, Yousuf noted that it cannot save them from the axe if they are failing to have an impact right now.
“Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab. Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides,” he said on X.
Pakistan recently faced Bangladesh in a two-Test series, which they lost 2-0.
However, the men in green bounced back to secure a 2-1 win over Australia in their three-match ODI series.
Next on the schedule will be a two-Test series against the West Indies, with both matches taking place in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
Pakistan will then face England in a three-Test series, which will be held 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