Pakistan leg-spinner Usman Qadir expressed his distress over the fact that he has been picked for the national team in the favor of his friendship with the skipper Babar Azam. Earlier during the 2022 world cup fans were upset with selectors opting to drop power-hitter Fakhar Zaman and stick to leg-spinner Usman Qadir.
Speaking to the local media, Usman Qadir revealed that his constantly working to improve his skills and stated that every time he was picked for the team was purely based on his skills and they are no favouritism involved in his selection for the national time.
“All that glitters is not gold – what it looks like from the outside isn’t the same from the inside. I never went to Babar and asked whether I was playing or not. He is representing the Pakistan team as a captain. He is the one carrying the team – the whole country is watching him. He has to take all the decisions, which in itself is a daunting task,” Usman said.
He made his T20I debut for Pakistan in November 2020 against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Since then, he has featured in 17 more T20Is and an ODI. He is yet to establish himself as a regular member of the national team.
Usman Qadir could not impress much in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as he represented Peshawar Zalmi, which was captained by his childhood friend Babar Azam.
Babar Azam Is My Friend – But Out Of The Ground – Usman Qadir
Pakistan’s Usman Qadir recalled the memories of his first time getting into the national team, as their former Misbah-ul-Haq then the selector of the Pakistan team, gave him the opportunity in the team and also stated that Babar Azam was new to captaincy during that time as he had no authority in selecting the team in 2019.
“People often claim that I have been into the team based on friendship – which is wrong. I hereby want to clarify that Babar didn’t bring me to the Pakistan team. In 2019, when Misbah-ul-Haq was the selector, he brought me into the team. Everyone must be aware when a player is appointed as a captain for the first time; he doesn’t have any authority. Also, he cannot induct players of his liking, either,” Usman Qadir said.
Usman Qadir said that he is friends with Babar Azam outside the field and they have no favouritism in the field and also added it is not fair to comment on selection without knowing the truth.
“Babar is my friend – my childhood friend – but out of the ground. There is no sort of acquaintances in the ground – it depicts otherwise. It is not fair to blame the other person that their inclusion in the team is based on friendship and not based on their skill or talent,”
Babar Azam is set to return for the Men in Green to lead them against the young New Zealand side. The 1st T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan will be held on April 14, in Lahore.