ICC World Cup 2019: Misbah-ul-Haq names the Pakistan players who shouldn’t have been picked

Pakistan has had a topsy-turvy campaign in the 2019 World Cup so far. Out of six matches, Sarfaraz Ahmed & Co. have lost three games and are precariously placed in the seventh position of the points table. After their 89-run drubbing versus India at the Old Trafford in Manchester, they were a recipient of a lot of criticism. However, Pakistan made an incredible comeback against South Africa at the Lord’s.

The Men in Green not only won by 49 runs but also knocked the Proteas out of the mega event. Their bowlers, barring left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, have blown hot and cold. Only in the previous match and in the one versus England, the bowling unit performed as a unit. In the meantime, former Pakistan cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq has named two players, who shouldn’t have been picked in the first place.

Misbah surprised by the picks

First, he named 19-year-old Mohammad Hasnain, who came up the ranks after an impressive stint for the Quetta Gladiators this year in the PSL. After getting five wickets in the ODI format at an average of 60.60, the Hyderabad-born is yet to make his World Cup debut. Misbah expressed his surprise over the decision to select him if the management wasn’t confident of giving him a chance in the eleven.

“I’m really surprised that they picked Hasnain in the 15 if they were not confident to play him. Even they have not played him against England, so I don’t know why he’s there,” the 45-year-old Misbah was quoted as saying cricketpakistan.com.pk.

Misbah also was taken aback by the selection of Shaheen Shah Afridi. In the ongoing mega event, Shaheen has gotten three wickets but has leaked runs at an economy of 6.88. Even in the ODI series against England that took place before the World Cup, he was one of the most expensive bowlers for Pakistan. Misbah said that Shaheen has been erratic in his line and lengths over the last few games.

“Shaheen was struggling even in the last series. He was not putting the ball in the right areas. Against Australia, where the conditions were very good, he (Afridi) was the one who actually gave a start to Australia – he was short, he was full at times, he did not hit that length,” he added.