Wasim rubbishes rumours on differences with Babar, Misbah

Pakistan Men’s Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim has brushed aside the rumours on differences with head coach Misbahul Haq and skipper Babar Azam over the squad selected for the upcoming tours of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Wasim has stated that the team management and selection committee are on the same page.  

“The team that was announced for the last home series I can say that 100 per cent of things were done based on mutual consensus and this time also the same thing has happened. I am reading on many platforms that they asked for 11 players, I am also thinking that what 11 players are in Pakistan that are better than these playing. People don’t think before putting up news. Nothing like this happened,” said Wasim while talking on Cricket Baaz YouTube channel.

He also opened up selection of opener Sharjeel Khan, in the T20I squad, despite fitness concerns.

“Deadlock is that you debate as you talked about Fakhar and Sharjeel so there was a debate on that. If we look at Sharjeel’s fitness, it is not suitable for ODI cricket and we all agreed on it. Fakhar is suitable for ODI as his fitness is good,” he said.

“We discussed all these things and there was not that big a difference in our opinions. The majority of the players that are selected were asked by the captain and the coach,” he added.

ALSO READ: Amir cites Bumrah’s example on backing from team management

He also revealed the reason behind not selecting opener Fakhar Zaman in T20I squad.

“We talked about Fakhar but if you look at the squad we can only keep one opener. When we compared both of them and looked at their current form so we decided to keep Sharjeel in the T20 squad and Fakhar in the ODI squad. Babar and Rizwan are performing well as openers. That’s why Sharjeel Khan is in the squad,” he said.

“Openers are there and if they choose Sharjeel then one has to step down. Then Babar or Rizwan can come at number three. Our job is to provide the available resources to the team and giving them backup as well. The combination will be made by the captain and the coach. We have tried that the type of player that is needed is present in the squad so you can see that every area is covered,” he concluded.