"Were Playing Like Kids": Ex-Pak Star Slams Selectors Post Loss To England

05.10.2022 - 11:55 sports.ndtv.com

Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal slammed the selectors after the Babar Azam-led side slumped to a series defeat against England on home soil last week.

Leading the series 3-2 at one point, Pakistan were outclassed in the last two games of the seven-matches, conceding the series 3-4.

While highlighting Pakistan's middle-order issues, which have been evident since the start of the Asia Cup, Ajmal angrily suggested that the selectors could instead look at unfit players who can bat with some intent. "These guys play well in one match and then fail in 10.

It's better if you play unfit, fat players instead. Sharjeel Khan, Azam Khan can be given chances. You played Haris as a wicketkeeper-batter.

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Pakistan, on Tuesday, threatened to pull out of next year's World Cup in India, reacting strongly to BCCI secretary Jay Shah's statement that they would prefer to play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue. Pakistan is scheduled to host the next edition of Asia Cup next year as per Asian Cricket Council's executive board's decision. Incidentally Shah is the president of Asian Cricket Council. After the BCCI AGM in Mumbai on Tuesday, Shah in an informal gathering of reporters stated that "India will play the Asia Cup at a neutral venue."

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Watch: ICC's Rohit Sharma-Babar Azam "Best Friends" Post Goes Viral

The T20 World Cup in Australia will be starting on Sunday with Sri Lanka squaring off against Namibia. However, the Super 12 stage will resume on October 22 with the match between New Zealand and Australia. However, all eyes are on the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan that will be played on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On Saturday, the ICC organised a Captains' Day where all 16 skippers of the participating teams engaged with the media.

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Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are currently two of the best T20 batters in the world. The opening combine's performance is crucial to Pakistan's chances at the T20 World Cup. So, when Pakistan face India in their opening game of the marquee event in Melbourne, all eyes will be on the duo. Former India allrounder Irfan spoke on how the Indian bowlers should face the likes of Babar and Rizwan in the much-anticipated clash.