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Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim who took a U-turn on retirement to play T20 World Cup 2024 recalled getting ‘surprised’ when Babar Azam was reinstated as captain in white-ball formats.
Babar had a horrid time as captain when Pakistan were knocked out of ODI World Cup 2023 at league stage. In aftermath of the ODI World Cup 2023 exit, Babar relinquished captaincy in all formats. Shan Masood was named Test captain whereas Shaheen Afridi was named T20I captain. However, after Mohsin Naqvi became Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief, he appointed Babar as captain once again.
Wasim played under Babar's captaincy in the T20 World Cup 2024. When Afridi lost the captaincy after T20I series on New Zealand soil and Babar got back the leadership role, he was left surprised.
“Yes, I was surprised,” Wasim told Pakistan journalist Saj Sadiq. “What can I say, it’s ultimately the selector’s call. Whatever they thought was the best option, they picked and they picked the team [accordingly].”
“Everybody in Pakistan was surprised, not just me. So, I can’t say no that I was not surprised,” he added.
Wasim’s run in CPL 2024
Wasim was criticised for his performances in the T20 World Cup 2024 on US soil. Currently, he is playing for Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. Falcons are making their CPL debut under Chris Green’s captaincy. Wasim has bagged seven wickets and scored 134 runs in the season so far.
Babar shrugs off poor form
Skipper Babar has been on the receiving end of widespread criticism of late. In the first series after a dismal T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, Babar managed to score just 64 runs from just four innings against Bangladesh.
In Pakistan’s domestic One-Day tournament Champions Cup, he scored a half-century for Mohammad Haris-led Lions against Shaheen Afridi’s Lions. He was named 'Player of the Match' for his 79-ball 76. He missed his century as left-arm pacer Afridi dismissed him in the 35th over of the innings with a slower delivery.
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