Mohammad Hafeez: “If Saim Ayub doesn’t score runs, what’s the benefit of his wickets? Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz – if they don’t take wickets, what’s the point of their runs?”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has criticised all-rounders Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, saying that if they are not fulfilling their primary roles effectively, there is little point in selecting them for the side.
He noted that Ayub is in the team for his batting and should be scoring runs rather than focusing on taking wickets, while Shadab and Nawaz are expected to pick up wickets instead of being known primarily for their batting contributions.
With each player assigned a specific role, Hafeez stressed the importance of them delivering in those areas rather than continuing to be picked for their contributions in a department that is not their main responsibility.
“Mike Hesson likes all-rounders, but if Saeem Ayub doesn’t score runs, what’s the benefit of his wickets? Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz – if they don’t take wickets, what’s the point of their runs? If a player doesn’t fulfill his role, there’s no need to select him in the squad,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X.
Pakistan recently played a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, which concluded as a 1-1 draw.
Their next assignment will see them take on England in a three-Test series from August 19 to September 13.
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