Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has suggested Babar Azam to step down gracefully after World Cup debacle in India.

The Men in Green failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Pakistan came to India with a lot of expectations and even won two games on the trot.

However, their downward spiral started after suffering a crushing defeat against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium. They lost three more matches against Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa.

Babar has been mediocre with the bat despite his exceptional track record in the fifty-over format.

“Babar Azam should step down gracefully from captaincy and set an example. It is not just about him but for other leaders as well. The results have to be considered,” he said.

The Men in Green will play the last contest of the World Cup campaign against England at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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Wasim Akram’s criticism of the players working as cricket experts in the ICC World Cup 2023 instead of playing domestic cricket has met with angry reactions. The legendary pacer was hitting out at Imad Wasim, who doesn’t play in local matches and is currently working as a cricket pundit on one of the TV channels.

He was informed about Akram’s words, but the name was not disclosed.

“I was the number two all-rounder in the world but I was dropped from the Pakistan team without any reason. I played domestic cricket but wasn’t selected despite my record. Is there a guarantee that I will be given a chance if I play domestic games? I will call the person, who is speaking against me for a suggestion if I need,” he said.

He was backed by Mohammad Amir, who will soon get England’s citizenship.

“There is a problem with the whole system. You are not given any reason behind your exclusion. There is a lot of communication gap,” Mohammad Amir said.

Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq blasted the cricket system in Pakistan.

“I accept there is a problem with the cricket system in Pakistan. Players are not made but destroyed over here,” he said.

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Things are not well within the PSL side Karachi Kings. Recently Karachi Kings’ chairman and bowling coach Wasim Akram took an indirect dig at Karachi captain Imad Wasim for prioritising TV debates and T10 tournaments over Pakistan’s local competition.

Wasim remarked, “The players affiliated with the Pakistan team are doing well, but what about the others? Some are them are sitting on TV debates, wishing to represent Pakistan. How can this be possible? Akram said.” Here is the video.

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While Akram did not take any name, Imad Wasim responded to his remarks and hit back at Akram without taking his name as well.

Imad stated that playing domestic cricket would be of no use to him as it would not guarantee a place in the Pakistani side.

“During my time in the Pakistan team, I was ranked as the World No.2 all-rounder but was unexpectedly dropped without any explanation. I’m not sure if playing domestic cricket will guarantee that I will be considered for selection again. Additionally, I would call the person who brought this issue to my attention when I need an advice from him,” remarked Imad.

“Two years ago, when I was asked to play domestic cricket, you can see my performance. But even then, I wasn’t considered. So there’s no guarantee here,” he further added. Here is the video.

Pakistan have virtually crashed out of ICC World Cup 2023 as they need to beat England by a margin of 287 runs.

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Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli‘s outstanding performances at the ODI World Cup 2023 have sparked discussions, with some critics suggesting that he is playing “selfishly” by prioritizing personal milestones over team victories.

However, Pakistani cricketers Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have come to Kohli’s defense, dismissing comparisons and emphasizing the importance of considering the player’s intent.

In a recent Pakistan TV segment, a fan raised the question of Kohli’s playing style during a discussion titled ‘Haarna mana hai.’ Imad Wasim spoke up in support of the former Indian captain, highlighting Kohli’s strategic approach to the game.

“Virat Kohli plans every move on the field, aware of his surroundings. In run chases, he’s exceptional, deciding when to attack and when to go for a six. He’s a unique player, and currently, there’s no one better than him. Criticizing him in this manner is unjust,” Imad Wasim said.

Mohammad Amir echoed a similar sentiment, expressing his disapproval of constant comparisons involving Kohli.

“I don’t understand why people constantly compare Virat Kohli, any such comparison is senseless. Additionally, it’s crucial to consider the player’s intentions. In the match against Sri Lanka, he was playing ball-to-ball, putting in effort,” he said.

Former Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq also joined the defence, underlining the importance of observing Kohli’s partner on the field.

“Observing how the non-striker performs is significant. It might not be the right thing to say, but if Imam-ul-Haq were playing alongside Virat Kohli, it could have led to issues,” he said.

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Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has made a prediction about the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. He feels the global event could see a repeat of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

India will take on Pakistan on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The clash is the most awaited game of the ICC tournament.

Imad said Pakistan will defeat India in the final of the World Cup. “The upcoming World Cup could see the repeat of the 2017 Trophy final,” he said.

For the record, the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led team defeated the Men in Blue in the title clash game to lift the Champions Trophy.

Fakhar Zaman scored a century to take Pakistan to 338/4 in 50 overs. India were bowled out for 158 in 30.3 overs to lose the game by 180 runs.

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Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim recently slammed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for dropping him without any reason. He threatened the PCB of action if the same thing was repeated with him again without proper reason.

“The selection committee kept me away from the Pakistan team for more than a year without any reason. I won’t allow this to happen again. I will take action if they drop me without any communication again,” he said.

Imad also added that he was not financially impacted after getting dropped from the Pakistan national cricket team. “I have earned enough in my career. I earned ten times more than what I would have earned while playing for Pakistan,” he added.

“If I was the bowler who was dependent on the conditions then teams from Australia and South Africa T20 leagues would have not signed me,” he concluded.

Pakistan’s Squads For New Zealand Series

T20I squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zaman Khan

ODI squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir. Reserves: Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Tayyab Tahir

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan’s new-look Twenty20 team in the three-match series against Afghanistan after selectors on Monday rested five senior players, including all-format captain Babar Azam, as part of its workload management.

Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, along with Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, will also miss next week’s series in the United Arab Emirates. All three games are scheduled to be played in Sharjah on March 24, 26 and 27.

For more than a year, Babar and Rizwan have represented Pakistan in almost all the games in the three formats while Fakhar, Rauf and Afridi have battled injuries.

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said that the selection committee wanted to enhance the pool of players with an eye on next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States.

“This will help us to strengthen our pool of players as we look forward to building and preparing a formidable side for next year’s T20 World Cup,” Rasheed said.

Saim Ayub, who scored 309 runs in 10 Pakistan Super League games and opened with Babar for Peshawar Zalmi, is among four uncapped players named in the 15-member squad.

Fast bowler Ihsanullah, middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir and fast bowler Zaman Khan are the others who have impressed with their performances in the PSL.

“The series against Afghanistan is the training ground to test our youngsters,” said Najam Sethi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s management committee. “I have talked to all the rested senior players and have told them that they will remain (an) integral part of the national team in future.”

Sethi said Shadab was logical choice to lead Pakistan in the short series against Afghanistan because the all-rounder had been Pakistan’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the last couple of years.

The PCB chairman said all five rested senior players will be recalled with Babar again taking up the captaincy for Pakistan’s home series against New Zealand in April.

All-rounder Imad Wasim, who scored 404 runs in the PSL and also took nine wickets, returned to the national team after last playing in the T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2021.

Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, Abdullah Shafique and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf also made their comebacks as selectors dropped power-hitter Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Hasnain, who all were part of the team which competed at the T20 World Cup in Australia.

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Squad: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan.

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RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Azam Khan’s unbeaten 72 helped Islamabad United overhaul Karachi Kings’ 201 total with four balls to spare in the Pakistan Super League on Friday.

Islamabad’s six-wicket win was its fourth, and good for third place in the league.

Karachi lost for a sixth time in eight matches despite captain Imad Wasim’s 92 not out off 54 balls lifting his team to 201-5.

But Azam smashed eight fours and four sixes as Islamabad romped to 204-4. He and Faheem Ashraf, with 41, combined for an electrifying 124 runs off 69 balls in their fourth-wicket stand.

Alex Hales, playing his first game of the league, launched Islamabad’s reply with 34 off 16.

Karachi fast bowler Mohammad Amir struggled with a groin injury and couldn’t hold back Azam or Ashraf. Ashraf was run out in the penultimate over, then Asif Ali smashed a six and four against Aamer Yameen to complete the win.

Karachi elected to bat first but the top order struggled against Islamabad’s pace. Islamabad skipper Shadab Khan put more brakes on with an economical 0-21 off his four overs.

Imad and Irfan Khan revived Karachi through their 99-run, fifth-wicket stand off 56 balls. Imad hit 11 fours and two sixes and and the Islamabad fast bowlers went for 82 runs in the last six overs.

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The eighth edition of the PSL is underway, but the tournament is not going as expected for 2020 champions Karachi Kings. The Imad Wasim-led side suffered their fourth defeat of the season after they lost another last-over thriller. On Wednesday, February 22, Multan Sultans, the table toppers, won the game by three runs, courtesy of skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s maiden PSL century.

The Kings required 22 to win off the final over. Ben Cutting and Imad both hit sixes, and thanks to a few no-balls and wides, the chase got reduced to 6 off four balls.  When everyone thought the game is for Karachi to win, they stunned everyone, including their president Wasim Akram, by scoring just two runs off the last four balls, resulting in Sultan’s three-run win.

Following the defeat, Wasim Akram, who was in the stands, hogged the papers for his animated antics as the 56-year-old was seen fuming, and even the camera captured him kicking a chair.

The fans took to social media to share Akram’s viral clip, and most of the viewers supported Akram for showing anger.

While Sultan sit at the top of the table, Karachi are fourth with just one win in their five games.

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KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi to a two-run win over his former team Karachi Kings on Tuesday in yet another last-over thriller in the Pakistan Super League.

New Karachi skipper Imad Wasim nearly shepherded a brave run-chase with an unbeaten 80 off 47 balls that included a last-ball six to carry his team to 197-5.

Babar, who was traded to Peshawar from Karachi for this season’s T20 competition, made 68 but it was Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s belligerent 92 off 52 balls that motored Peshawar to 199-5.

New Zealand’s James Neesham (2-26) picked up two early wickets and Karachi had slumped to 46-4 inside the first seven overs before Wasim and veteran Shoaib Malik (52) combined in a meticulous 131-run stand and raised the home team’s hopes.

Peshawar were scratchy in the field in the death overs when Wahab Riaz dropped a regulation catch of Malik on 38 at wide mid-on and Neesham couldn’t judge a skier of Ben Cutting before the Australian had scored.

Left-arm fast bowler Riaz (2-34) made amends for his fielding lapse when he had Malik caught behind in the penultimate over and inexperienced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad (0-47) held his nerves in the final over with 16 runs to defend.

Earlier, Kohler-Cadmore and Babar raised an electrifying 131-run partnership after Peshawar lost two wickets in the second over and stuttered to 16-2. Pakistan international Mir Hamza had Mohammad Haris lbw off a sharp inswinger, and Saim Ayub was run out after Babar’s hard drive flicked the fingers of Hamza’s hand and went onto hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Kohler-Cadmore showed a lot of aggression against both spin and pace and smashed three consecutive sixes against left-arm spinner Wasim’s (0-42) one over in the batting powerplay. Karachi’s ace fast bowler Mohammad Amir (0-42) also couldn’t get a wicket as Kohler-Cadmore and Babar kept on pushing the scoring rate.

Babar finally holed out at long-on while going for a big hit against Imran Tahir (1-40) while Kohler-Cadmore was caught at deep backward square leg with three balls left in the innings as he looked for first century in this season’s PSL.

Before the game, Pakistan skipper hit a total of 9 sixes, including 6 consecutive maximums in the training session.

Defending champions Lahore Qalandars edged Multan Sultans by one run in a sensational opening PSL game on Monday.

The 2019 winners Quetta Gladiators will open their PSL campaign against Multan on Wednesday.

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