Think team, not friendship

“How does Hasan Ali parachute into the national team before every World Cup? He has not even played a T20 match for Pakistan for two years.”

“How Osama Mir got out with most wickets in PSL”

“Whose slip is Usman Khan? He didn’t play a big innings in the entire series against New Zealand and is still in the team.”

In the last few days you must have heard such comments from your friends on social media or in general life, the selectors chose 18 players this time to avoid criticism so that there is no fuss over dropping anyone but mistakes were still made. The fans’ concern is not wrong, even before PSL I had a feeling that Amir would be included in the World Cup squad and now it seems to be the same, every mega event a few players suddenly emerge who were earlier. They are not included in any count, same thing happened this time too, for whatever reason, less than a month left for the World Cup, most of the squads have been selected but we are still facing problems.

Our opening pair is not set, Saim Ayub’s “Nolak” shot made the selectors so excited that they couldn’t take their eyes off him, there is no doubt that he is talented but what is the use of his talent unless he performs. , Saim’s opening pair with Babar Azam has not been able to deliver a special performance so far, many are suggesting Mohammad Rizwan and the skipper to open the innings but the problem will be the power play as both the batsmen are in the same style. They take time to play and get set, the ideal situation could be the opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, but why is Fakhar not being given a lift? Will bat, run rate in middle overs is our biggest problem, Iftikhar Ahmed is an over rated cricketer.

He is called an all-rounder, but he rarely gets bowling. Look at his strike rate in batting and you will get an idea of ​​his abilities. In such a case, it may be right to give Azam Khan opportunities, although he is still showing real abilities at the international level. Couldn’t but the experience of playing on West Indian pitches will come in handy, Shadab Khan’s bowling is average but his batting form is great, he can also be tried at the top numbers, if Imad Wasim has been called back now. Their abilities should be taken advantage of. Only the selectors can answer the question of what role Salman Ali Agha was brought back. The pace attack looks very strong on paper. There are many big names including Rauf, but everyone knows that the role of spinners will be more important in the West Indies.

That’s why many teams including India have selected 4-4 slow bowlers, Pakistan will depend more on part-timers, Osama should also have been given a chance, it seems that Babar Azam has started his arbitrary decisions in the selection. He has been accused of favoritism before so should be careful now, uniting the team is the most important thing but new coach Gary Kirsten is coaching in IPL these days, like Mickey Arthur he has online sessions. But it will not be of any use, Christen is not available for the series from Ireland and will join the team in England, then the World Cup will come, in that case he will not get a chance to teach the players, then the same thing will happen. “There was no magic wand that would have changed everything in a few days.” The 15-member squad will be able to get a real idea of ​​the strategy only after the final, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi told the players before the World Cup Incentives have been given, everyone will be able to receive $1,100,000 (about 2.8 million rupees) for winning. I will give it a try but thinking is easy to do.

The world cup is the biggest tournament, every player’s dream is to participate in it, why so and so became the captain, why did he join the team, I don’t like his looks, he is so and so’s servant, forget such things and think only of Pakistan. If there is a good performance, then the name of the players will be there, so you have to clear your heart and play for the team, forget what happened in the past and think ahead, cricket is a team game until everyone is united, positive results will not come out can

Mohsin Naqvi is making a big effort in this regard, he also called the team for a meeting and boosted the morale of the players, even if there are talented cricketers in the squad, it is necessary to choose a balanced playing eleven to win, Babar Azam. And team management also has to do the same, forget about having a friend or dislike, just think about whether the team can work or not, superstars don’t consider themselves insecure because no one can replace them. So, if you have to make a unique decision in the opening, do it, team wins will be remembered, not individual records, think like this this time, believe that positive results can come out and then you will be wow. So what do you think should happen this time?

(Note: You can follow me on Twitter @saleemkhaliq)