'They don't have his replacement' - Aaqib Javed furious over Shoaib Malik's absence in Pakistan's Asia Cup squad

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on August 3 (Wednesday) announced the squads for the upcoming ODI series against the Netherlands and the all-important Asia Cup 2022. While Babar Azam is set to lead the Men in Green, star all-rounder Shadab Khan will act as his deputy.

Meanwhile, the squads did not have the names of two senior Pakistani players including Shoaib Malik and Hasan Ali, which has not gone down well with the former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed who believes that the Men in Green have still not found Malik’s replacement in the squad. He also expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of batter Shan Masood in the squad.

Shoaib Malik perfectly fits at the No.4 spot: Javed on Malik

“Pakistan doesn’t have a replacement for Shoaib Malik. He perfectly fits at the No.4 spot. Tell me is there anyone apart from him?” Javed was quoted by the Hindustan Times.

Speaking on Masood’s non-selection, Javed said, “I have been saying this for a long time now that Shan Masood should be tested at this position. Viewing grounds of Australia, a batter playing proper cricketing shots would succeed there.”

Expressing his views on those who were named in the Pakistani squad including Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, and Asif Ali, the former cricketer stated that while Iftikhar has not been able to make his place permanent in the squad over the past few years, the other two are “one-dimensional.”

“Iftikhar Ahmed is in and out for the last five years and has not made an impact while Khushdil Shah and Asif Ali are one-dimensional players,” said the former Pakistan cricketer.

Before participating in the Asia Cup, Pakistan will take on the Netherlands in a three-match ODI series, starting on August 16 and will back themselves to win the series. After that, Pakistan will take on the arch-rivals India in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2022. The Men in Green registered a victory against India when they last met in the T20 World Cup 2021 and will be looking to emulate their performance once more.