T20 World Cup 2022: "He is certainly not considering Shoaib Malik" - Salman Butt on Pakistan chief selector's comments
Former cricketer Salman Butt believes Pakistan chief selector Muhammad Wasim isn't considering Shoaib Malik to solve their middle-order woes despite the veteran batter's impressive performance of late.
Butt underlined that experience is needed in big tournaments like the T20 World Cup and Pakistan are certainly missing a trick by not including Malik in the squad. The hosts failed to win the seven-match T20I series against England earlier this month and their middle order's inexperience was exposed.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel on Wednesday, here's what the former Pakistan captain had to say about Wasim's comments:
"Pakistan's chief selector has claimed that there are no backups (for middle order) and whoever is there, they will need time to be groomed. So he is certainly not considering Shoaib Malik. He is still fit, is a brilliant fielder and has done well in whatever tournaments he has played over the past year."
Salman Butt questions Pakistan chief selector for not keeping backups ready
Salman Butt held Wasim responsible for Pakistan not being able to strengthen their middle order with backups. He feels the board didn't conduct enough U19 tours or A games that could have helped groom some youngsters.
Win the series ❌
Solve middle order problem ❌
Try Shadab/Nawaz in middle overs ❌
Death over partner to Haris Rauf ❌
Bat aggressively in PP ❌
7 match series & Pakistan fails to find any answers to the problems they had pre series, great opportunity wasted
On this, Salman Butt stated:
"You say there are no backups but what exactly did you do to make them ready? No A tours, no U19 tours, absolutely nothing. How can you hope for a lottery when you didn't even buy the lottery ticket? If you haven't made them ready and haven't created an environment, then how will they be ready?"
Meanwhile, Team India have reportedly asked Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj to travel to Australia along with Mohammed Shami for the T20 World Cup. With Jasprit Bumrah out injured and Deepak Chahar reportedly ruled out as well, it will be interesting to see who among the three makes it to the main squad.