ISLAMABAD:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Selector believes the Green-shirts has to play the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, therefore the selection committee would approach the mega event according to the conditions and requirements there.
Despite a satisfactory 2021, Wasim hoped that Pakistan would continue with the same momentum next year but said we need to be realistic because the team has to play T20 World Cup in Australia and the selection committee will approach the mega event according to conditions and requirements.
“We need to keep the conditions and requirements in our mind and decide what’s the best possible option for us going into the World Cup down-under. It is not necessary that the same group of players who have been performing in friendly conditions would be able to perform there as well, so we will have to keep things in mind. Ideally, the same squad should go but if we feel the need for any changes then we’ll surely bring them in the squad,” he said.
“A lot of cricket is to be played before the World Cup in Australia, so we will assess the situation but I can’t guarantee who will be there and who will not be,” Wasim said in an interview to a private news channel.
Wasim also feels that the team needs improvement in the spin department saying we were working on the area. “We are good in fast bowling and batting, with good performers and ample backups. One area that needs improvement is the spin department, we are lacking there, I believe that we don’t have enough quality spin options as we used to but we are working in this area, we have our eyes on performers in the domestic tournament,” Wasim said.
The 44-year-old former Test Cricketer said the performance of the T20 team was remarkable, however, there was a need to improve things in ODI and Test formats.
“Pakistan team has played well through the year, especially in T20s, in the shortest format, our team looks very settled. In other formats – Test and ODIs – we need some improvement and hopefully, by end of this season, we’ll (see some improvement) in these areas. Although our recent performances in Test and ODIs are good but overall ranking reflects that we need to do some working to bring improvement in these two formats,” he said.
To a question, Wasim said that the selection committee is observing the performance of youngsters before deciding about the future of seniors like Shoaib Malik or Mohammad Hafeez.