Former Pakistani Wicket keeper-batter, Kamran Akmal has questioned Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for Umar Akmal’s non-selection, recently the squad was announced for the T20I against New Zealand. Kamran also suggested authorities keep their personal agenda aside while selecting the team, whereas Umar is also the cousin of the Pakistani skipper.
While, Umar has not featured for Men in Green for the last 3-4 years, and played his last game for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2019, earlier he faced 2 years ban from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to report corruption issues.
Kamran Akmal has suggested Babr Azam to think about this issue-
“Keep your personal agendas aside, drafting a team should be about putting Pakistan first, not personal agendas or preferences. It’s concerning to see players being shifted between formats based on connections rather than performance. We can’t afford to treat team selection like a game of musical chairs,” said the Ex- Pakistani wicketkeeper.
While playing for the Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023, which eventually finished in the last position in the 8th edition of the PSL, the 32-year-old, Umar managed only 95 runs in five innings with a best of 43. However, his strike rate was astounding at 186.27.
“The team arrangement should not be based on transitioning players between formats solely on the basis of their connections in the board. It’s not right to include someone in the ODI lineup just because they didn’t perform well in T20I. This seems like a game of musical chairs, and it’s not fair to the team or the players,’
“Teams shouldn’t be based on likings/dislikings. Umar deserves to be part of the team. Change of faces at higher levels should come with change of approach & selection criteria. I don’t think they’re dealing with Umar appropriately,” he further added.
? Pakistan squads for the New Zealand series ?
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While, Pakistan’s regular T20I skipper, Babar Azam is back for the squad after being rested from the last series against Afghanistan. While Men in Green stars Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are also back in the squad to face the Black Caps. All three missed the T20I series against Afghanistan.
“The team captain should also think about this, not only the selection committee. He’s been with the team for the last four to five years, he should look for the ground requirements of the team,” stated Akmal on Babar Azam.
The first T20I of the five-match series will begin on April 14 in Lahore, PAK vs NZ, while Pakistan lost their last 20-over series against their neighbours, Afghanistan.