In the aftermath of Pakistan’s disappointing defeat to India in the ICC World Cup 2023 group match, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has offered a piece of advice for a change in the team. Misbah has suggested that all-rounder Shadab Khan should be dropped from the squad.
Speaking on a private sports channel’s program, when asked whether Shadab and Nawaz should be a part of the team, Misbah-ul-Haq stated that Nawaz continues to excel in his bowling, and observing his recent performance in the last couple of matches, there is growing confidence in his batting as well.
Misbah commented, “Nawaz is still performing admirably with both bat and ball. If you look at his performance in the last two to three matches, there is a remarkable improvement in his batting skills as well.”
However, his opinion on Shadab Khan was quite different. Misbah expressed concerns regarding Shadab’s performance, saying, “Shadab Khan has not been able to land the ball in the right place. When you have been playing T20 cricket for a prolonged period and are suddenly required to play 50-over cricket, it becomes challenging.”
Misbah further elaborated that it is now time to turn to someone like Asif Ali, who is part of the squad, as the upcoming matches are expected to be demanding, similar to the tough encounters like the India match.
Previously, former cricketer Azhar Ali had also recommended resting Shadab Khan and giving opportunities to Asif Ali against Australia in a match, emphasizing the need for rotation and providing chances to players like Asif Ali.
The Pakistan cricket team is going through a transition phase, and the advice of former cricket greats like Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali may carry significant weight in determining the team’s future composition and strategy.
As Pakistan looks ahead to its remaining matches in the ICC World Cup 2023, the selection committee and management will need to carefully consider these opinions and make decisions that will best serve the team’s interests and aspirations.
