Shoaib Akhtar questions Imad Wasim's omission from Pakistan's T20I team

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has questioned chief selector Mohammad Wasim’s decision of dropping Imad Wasim from the T20I squad for the South Africa tour. Pakistan are scheduled to play three ODIs and four T20Is against South Africa from April 2 to April 16. After the completion of the South Africa tour, they will travel to neighboring Zimbabwe for two Tests and three T20Is.

Imad failed to find a place in any of the squads announced for the tours. The spin-bowling all-rounder was overlooked for Mohammad Nawaz. Imad was also not a part of Pakistan’s T20I squad for the home series against South Africa last month. Nawaz was used as the all-rounder by Pakistan team-management in all three games of the series.

The 26-year old had scored 21 runs at an average of 21 and picked up three wickets at an average of 20.33 and an economy rate of 6.10. Both Imad and Nawaz were last seen in action during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) which was recently postponed. Imad claimed three wickets in five games at an average of 33.66 and an economy rate of 7.76 in the competition while Nawaz picked one wicket in five matches at an average of 96 and an economy rate of 7.38.

Shoaib Akhtar questions Imad Wasim’s omission

Speaking to the media, Shoaib Akhtar made it clear he was not at all impressed with Imad Wasim’s omission from Pakistan’s T20I team. The former cricketer praised PCB’s chief executive Wasim Khan for his efforts in improving Pakistan cricket but at times he couldn’t because of his limitation. He also took a dig at PCB chairman Ehsan Mani without naming him by saying that if a mediocre person is sitting at the top, then decision-making will be compromised.

“There was no reason for dropping Imad Wasim for the T20 series [in South Africa],” he was quoted as saying by The Dawn.

Akhtar also urged the PCB to improve club cricket while hailing the talent in Pakistan. Akhtar further spoke about Kashmir Premier League (KPL) too, saying, “I wish honourable people should jump in to organise KPL to build a good narrative and to make the KPL non controversial.”