'Unfair on him' - Babar Azam disagrees with chief selector over Shan Masood's role
Shan Masood is naturally a top-order batter, and has played 25 Tests for Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has opened up about his differences of opinions with the chief selector of the team Muhammad Wasim. He spoke about Wasim’s views on the team’s batting order ahead of the series against West Indies. The Men in Green will host the the Carribeans in a three-match ODI series starting from June 8. Pakistan have already announced their 16-player squad for the series.
It was on a YouTube show that the Pakistan chief selector spoke about his views. It revolved around the selection of batter Shan Masood. Wasim believed that Masood should play in the middle-order, although the latter is naturally a top-order batter. Azam, however, felt that Masood should play in his natural top-order position.
Babar Azam not willing to tinker with Shan Masood’s role
Masood had a successful stint with Derbyshire Falcons in the ongoing T20 Blast. Wasim felt that Masood should try batting down the order so that there would be an evidence that he could make a change for the team from that position. Azam, however, thought it was “unfair” on Masood to make him play at number five or six since he has not played in those positions before.
Notably, Masood also enjoyed a successful campaign with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 batting at the top, scoring 478 runs in 12 games. Masood, a left-hand batsman, has played for Pakistan in 25 Tests, and has usually opened the batting for the team. He made his international debut in 2013. he has also played five ODIs after making his debut in 2019.
Azam said, “Shan Masood bats at the top of the order and he has not batted lower down the order. I think it would be unfair with Shan to play him at (number) five or six. We have an eye on him and he will be considered taking the balance of the side into account.”
Earlier, Wasim, in an interview to a YouTube channel, had stated: “I have told Shan that he should now try to bat in the middle order so that we have evidence he can make the change for us.”
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