Today, Pakistan announced their 15-member squad for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, where batter Shan Masood has been included in the side for the shortest format for the first time along with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves.
Furthermore, Wasim Junior has been included after recovering completely from the side strain he suffered during the ACC T20 Asia Cup, whereas Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October.
The tournament will kickstart with a clash against arch-rivals India on 23 October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the seven events to date, Pakistan has won the title in 2009 in the United Kingdom, reached the final in 2007 and featured in the 2010, 2012 and 2021 semifinals, a record that makes them one of the most consistent sides to date.
The announcement has left the majority of local cricket fans disappointed over the selection, when one of the major concerns for Pakistan during the Asia Cup was the inconsistency of their middle order. The likes of Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali have all been retained in the T20 World Cup squad, however, despite underperforming in the Asia Cup. The inclusion of players like Iftikhar and Khushdil is garnering negative comments all across the cricket fanbase.
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Check out some of the reactions on Twitter, where some people even resorted to humour to mask their disappointment.
Iftikhar Ahmed once again selected in the Pakistan team without ANY performances. Shocking selection. We are destined to lose when you pick players like this.
— Haroon (@hazharoon) September 15, 2022
Iftikhar after selection in WC squad pic.twitter.com/MGT4OmbmH7
— Syed Taqi Abbas (@syedmtaqi_) September 15, 2022
Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali – not a single dropped among three! This is the most shocking aspect of selection. Perhaps PCB Selection Committee neither has confidence in domestic players nor they want to go back to Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed rightnow. #T20WorldCup
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) September 15, 2022
when I see Khushdil, Iftikhar and Asif in WT20 squad: pic.twitter.com/9w9ICDoODm
— yang yoo (@GongRight) September 15, 2022
Khushdil shah ,iftikhar chacha and Asif Ali after poor Performance again slected.. pic.twitter.com/FXuDH6PEMA
— Teto Patiyaa (@Pola_620) September 15, 2022
Iftikhar and Khushdil celebrating being in WT20 squad even when they know they would be removed before 10th Oct: pic.twitter.com/Muxsf5emVM
— yang yoo (@GongRight) September 15, 2022
Some are already predicting failures as a result of this selection.
Iftikhar Ahmed has played 7 seasons of the PSL.
His overall average is 18. His strike rate is only 118.
How and why is he selected in the Pakistan team with such poor stats?
We are destined for failure in the World Cup when you pick players like this.#PakistanCricket
— Haroon (@hazharoon) September 15, 2022
While some also shared suggestions on what players should have been selected instead.
Haider Ali should have been given a chance instead of Fakhar Zaman or Iftikhar chacha.#PAKvsSL #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/2NkOFlvznd
— ♥️ (@hsworld4u) September 9, 2022
#PAKvsSL
We Need Haider Ali , Shoaib Malik And Shan Masood Instead Of Khushdil Shah Iftikhar Ahmed And Fakhar Zaman pic.twitter.com/YSEINlGzjR— Mobeen (@Mobeen44138867) September 9, 2022
Despite these reactions, Chief selector Muhammad Wasim is confident in his selection. “We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE,” he shared with the press.
“These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard. We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done,” he added.
