Pakistan captain Babar rules out Malik return for T20 World Cup

12.08.2022 - 11:15 channelnewsasia.com

LAHORE, Pakistan: Pakistan captain Babar Azam has ruled out a return for veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik to the Twenty20 squad ahead of the World Cup in Australia, saying the team needed to give fresh talent more opportunities to develop.Malik, who played the last of his 124 Twenty20 Internationals against Bangladesh last November, has impressed in Pakistan's domestic T20 league and with the Asia Cup and World Cup on the horizon local media suggested the 40-year-old's experience could prove invaluable.However, there was no place for the former captain, a useful all-rounder, in the squad for this month's Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and Babar said they were looking to the future with the World Cup coming up in October-November."There are matches immediately after Netherlands, so it's unlikely there will be time for changes," Babar told reporters on Thursday ahead of their Dutch tour next week."When senior players leave the side, those replacing them need focus. (Mohammad) Hafeez and Malik were huge players and we'll miss them a lot, and players like Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar (Ahmed) need to fill their boots."We want to give them plenty of matches and confidence, and these players have performed."Pakistan will play three one-day internationals in Rotterdam before arriving in the UAE where they begin their Asia Cup campaign with an Aug 28 blockbuster against arch-rivals India in Dubai.

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India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The 2022 Asia Cup match between the arch-rivals went down to the wire but all-rounder Hardik Pandya showed nerves of steel to pull off the heist for the Indian team in chase of a 148-run target. Besides the crucial knock of Pandya, it was certainly the lack of proper planning from Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the second innings that played a big role in his side's loss to India.

Watch: As Pakistan Lost To India, Shoaib Malik Found The "Missing" Person From His Team

Pakistan batter Shoaib Malik shared a video of country's national team pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi which has gone viral on social media. The shared clip was recorded by Malik during Pakistan's 2022 Asia Cup match against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Though Shaheen is missing the tournament due to a knee injury, he made sure he doesn't miss the highly-awaited encounter between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Not as a player, but the pacer entered the stadium as a fan to cheer for his team in the high-octane clash.

Watch: Pakistan Players Entertain Fans Ahead Of India Clash In Asia Cup

The countdown to the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2022 has begun. It will be the first time after the 2021 T20 World Cup that the arch-rivals will be taking on each other. In that game, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan won the match by 10 wickets to register the team's first-ever win over India in a World Cup match. Virat Kohli was the India captain in that game, while Rohit Sharma has taken over the reins this time. Both teams are filled with talented T20 players.

"Different Game If Shaheen Was There": Babar Azam On Clash vs India In Asia Cup

Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of the best pacers going around and him being ruled out of the Asia Cup was one of the major setbacks that the team received ahead of the marquee event. Ahead of the Asia Cup match against India on Sunday in Dubai, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said that his side will definitely miss the ace speedster and it would have been a different game if Shaheen had played the game.

Watch: Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam In Lengthy Chat Ahead Of Asia Cup Clash

The Asia Cup starts later on Saturday with Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan in Dubai. However, all eyes will be on the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Sunday. Ahead of the match, India captain Rohit Sharma and Pakistan skipper Babar Azam came face to face. In a video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Rohit and Babar can be seen having a lengthy chat. Both skippers could be seen all smiles as they chatted away.

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Cricket fans are all set to witness the high voltage clash between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan on August 28, in their Asia Cup match in Dubai. The matches between the two countries have always been a center of attraction, due to the cut-throat competition. The last time the two teams played each other, at the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan emerged victorious to register their first-ever win against India in a World Cup contest. Team India will be led by Rohit Sharma and will also see the return of Virat Kohli after a break. Earlier last week, Pakistan also faced a blow when their star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out due to injury. Mohammed Hasnain was named as his replacement.