Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal has come to the defence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan following their exclusion from the T20I squad for the upcoming collection towards New Zealand.
Ajmal, identified for his outspoken views, criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for dropping the 2 gamers, questioning the logic behind the choice. He described the transfer as unfair and poorly deliberate, given Babar and Rizwan’s vital contributions to Pakistan’s T20I success.
Each gamers, who’re Pakistan’s prime two run-scorers in T20Is, have been omitted from the squad after Pakistan’s underwhelming efficiency within the ICC Champions Trophy. Regardless of remaining a part of the ODI squad, their absence from the T20I setup has sparked issues concerning the determination and its implications for the staff.
Talking in an interview, Ajmal known as the transfer “mistaken” and accused the PCB of mishandling certainly one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketing stars.
“Aapke paas ek hello toh star hai (You will have just one star). Should you degrade him additionally, then how will your cricket run? These are the massive points. Our former cricketers ought to preserve their mouths shut,” he stated.
Ajmal emphasised that each participant goes by way of tough patches and that Babar deserves assist, not exclusion. Drawing comparisons with cricketing greats, he stated even Sachin Tendulkar couldn’t rating in each match.
“As a cricketer, one should realise that dangerous patches are a part of a participant’s profession. You possibly can’t play cricket the identical approach all of your life. Even for those who have been Tendulkar, you couldn’t rating 100 in each match,” he added.
Pakistan’s T20 struggles proceed
Pakistan’s latest T20I performances have been removed from promising. The staff has misplaced three of its final 4 collection, with the one win coming towards Zimbabwe. Their first-round exit within the earlier T20 World Cup, together with losses to the USA and India, solely added to their struggles.
Ajmal believes that as an alternative of dropping Babar and Rizwan, the PCB ought to have held discussions with them about their performances.
“The best way you’ve eliminated them is mistaken. It’s not like they’re the one ones who haven’t scored. Ideally, the selectors ought to sit with Babar and talk about his workload, so he can come again stronger,” he acknowledged.
One of many key criticisms of Babar and Rizwan has been their strike fee. Whereas each gamers have been among the many most constant scorers in T20Is, their method has usually been labelled as too conservative.
Ajmal dismissed these issues, arguing that aggression shouldn’t be the one approach to reach fashionable T20 cricket. He additionally cited the instance of Virat Kohli, who prefers to construct his innings fairly than assault from the primary ball.
“Come on, what aggression are we speaking about? If they’re your confirmed matchwinners, you don’t want aggression. Even legends like Virat usually tempo their innings earlier than attacking—that’s his type,” Ajmal stated.
As Pakistan gears up for the T20I collection towards New Zealand, the absence of Babar and Rizwan will probably be intently watched.
Each gamers are included within the squad for the ODI-leg of the tour.