Babar Azam disagrees with the chief selector on the role of Shan Masood. Shan Masood is a natural top-order batter who has appeared in 25 Tests for Pakistan.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has spoken out about his disagreements with team chief selector Muhammad Wasim. He discussed Wasim’s thoughts on the team’s batting order ahead of the series against the West Indies. The Men in Green will host the Caribbeans in a three-match One-Day International series beginning June 8. Pakistan has already named a 16-man squad for the series.
The Pakistan chief selector expressed his views on a YouTube show. It all came down to the choice of batter Shan Masood. Wasim thought Masood should bat in the middle order, despite the fact that he is naturally a top-order batter. Azam, on the other hand, believed Masood should play in his natural top-order position.
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Babar Azam disagrees and unwilling to change Shan Masood’s role.
Masood previously played for Derbyshire Falcons in the ongoing T20 Blast. Wasim thought Masood should bat lower in the order to demonstrate his ability to make a difference for the team from that position. Azam, on the other hand, thought it was “unfair” to force Masood to play at number five or six because he had never played in those positions before.
Notably, Masood had a successful season batting at the top for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022, scoring 478 runs in 12 games. Masood, a left-handed batsman, has appeared in 25 Tests for Pakistan, usually opening the batting. In 2013, he made his international debut. He has also played five One-Day Internationals since making his debut in 2019.
“Shan Masood bats at the top of the order and has not batted lower down the order,” Azam explained. I believe it would be unjust to play Shan at (number) five or six. We’re keeping an eye on him, and he’ll be considered with the team’s overall balance in mind.”
Wasim previously stated on a YouTube channel, “I have told Shan that he should now try to bat in the middle order so that we have evidence he can make the change for us.”
Also Read: Ian Bell emerges as the leading candidate for the ECB to restore the role of national selector.