Babar Azam didn't bring me in Pakistan team: Usman Qadir

Pakistan leg-spinner, Usman Qadir, has expressed his disappointment over the fact that he has been taken either as a nepotism product or a favoritism spin-off.

Usman, while talking to a local news channel, clarifies the naysayers that he is trying to do better with every passing day and whenever he has played for the national side, he was selected on the basis of his skill and not because he is friends with the team's skipper.

"All that glitters is not gold - what it looks like from the outside isn't the same from the inside. I never went to Babar and asked whether I was playing or not. He is representing the Pakistan team as a captain. He is the one carrying the team - the whole country is watching him. He has to take all the decisions, which in itself is a daunting task," Usman said.

"People often claim that I have been into the team on the basis of friendship - which is wrong. I hereby want to clarify that Babar didn't bring me in Pakistan team. In 2019, when Misbah-ul-Haq was the selector, he brought me into the team. Everyone must be aware when a player is appointed as a captain for the first time; he really doesn't have any authority. Also, he cannot induct players of his own liking, either. Babar is my friend - my childhood friend - but out of the ground. There is no sort of acquaintances in the ground - it depicts otherwise. It is not fair to blame the other person that their inclusion in the team is based on friendship and not on the basis of their skill or talent," he further added.

Usman, who has only played 23 T20Is and one ODI, believes he hasn't been given consistent chances to prove himself as a better match performer for the national team.