- Pakistan has finalized the XI for India's crucial match.
- Four fast bowlers, two all-rounders, including a spinner.
- Babar and the coach “have lost confidence in Azam.”
NEW YORK: After a persistent poor performance, Pakistan decided not to include batsman Azam Khan and replace him with all-rounder Imad Wasim for the high-voltage T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India today, sources said. Geographic news.
The development comes after Azam was left out in the match against USA, while he also failed to make a mark in his last few previous appearances in the national T20I team. The 25-year-old cricketer has been heavily criticized for his physical condition and performance on the field.
Meanwhile, national team coach Gary Kirsten confirmed on Saturday that all-rounder Imad was fit and would play in the much-anticipated match in New York.
Imad has been on the sidelines since the T20I series against England that was played last month but will take on their arch-rivals.
“Imad Wasim will be available for the match against India,” Kirsten confirmed at a press conference. “We will be back”.
Sources said Geographic news that Pakistan finalized their playing XI minus Azam for the India match and decided to enter the arena with four fast bowlers, two all-rounders and one spinner.
The playing team, according to sources, includes captain Babar Azam, batsman Muhammad Rizwan, batsman Usman Khan, left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Amir. and Naseem Shah.
Sources also added that captain Babar and coach Kirsten “lost confidence in Azam as he was not allowed to play a single ball during net practice.”
Sources said Azam remained isolated while the practice was going on.
The son of legendary wicketkeeper Moin Khan is yet to make a mark in T20Is from the national team despite making his international debut three years ago in July 2021. He appeared in 14 innings for Pakistan but could only score 88 runs.
Imam predicts overthrow of Azam
It seems that Pakistan batsman Imam Ul Haq had foreseen the out-of-form wicketkeeper's expulsion from the team as, citing Azam's dismal performance, he said on Friday that six matches in a row could not be played without a good performance as warriors of social networks. He ruined it instantly.
He said this in the context of the “misperception” among cricket fans that Pakistan was signing some players out of favouritism, as they believed it was not possible to carry a player for longer without performance in the age of social media. .
After the match between the United States and Pakistan, cricket fans expressed their disappointment in the performance of the Green Shirts and the team selection on Thursday.
speaking to Geographic news After the match, the fans were frustrated by the defeat and especially by Azam's selection in the match.
“We are very disappointed. Azam Khan has no place in the team but they still include him. He doesn't know how to field and got out on the first ball,” said one of the spectators.
