Babar Azam's Clarity Is Missing In Conveying Haris Rauf And Mohammad Nawaz About Their Form, Affirms Salman Butt

Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt criticized Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for his lack of clarity in conveying the message to Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf over their form.

Both Nawaz and Rauf were rested for the two-match Test series against West Indies, as Babar said that the duo was released so that they could spend some good time with their families before they are back with the team in Sri Lanka to play against Afghanistan in September.

“Looking at the likely team composition for the two Tests and giving preference to the well-being of the players, it has been agreed to release Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz so that they can return to Pakistan and spend quality time with their families.

This will also give them a few extra days to relax, regroup and recharge for the commitments ahead, which commence with the series against Afghanistan,” Babar Azam said.

Salman Butt feels Babar Azam is ashamed to tell players about their form

However, Butt does not agree with the Pakistan skipper’s statement and questioned him on how many matches did Haris Rauf has played so far. Butt also noted that Rauf, who has played 23 T20Is and eight ODIS, is yet to make his debut in the red-ball format.

“Babar Azam said Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf play all three formats and that they are being rested because they have played many games. Haris Rauf has not even made his Test debut. How many matches did he play in West Indies? Three T20Is were washed out due to rain. Are you ashamed to say that this person is not in form so he is being sent back?” Butt mentioned on his YouTube channel.

Salman Butt asks Babar Azam to be very clear with his players

Nawaz, who played his last international match in April against Zimbabwe, was benched all six limited-overs games against England and also missed the only T20I Pakistan played against West Indies. Butt ridiculed the decision to release the two players as if they were seniors of the team and asked Babar Azam to be clear with his players about their form in the game.

“How many matches did Nawaz play on the England tour? Even in West Indies, he was mostly sitting outside. If you are sending back players from a tour, it is important to reveal the real reason so everyone in the set-up knows what’s happening. The way it was announced it seemed like two seniors who will be sorely missed were being given a break. Everything was so illogical,” Butt said.

“Let the boys also know that they need to work on their game. Has Haris Rauf played 150 matches? Or has he played non-stop cricket for the last six months? Rauf has hardly played any games and you are saying he needs rest. You must be very clear at this level when you talk. The clarity is missing,” he added.

Pakistan will play West Indies in the first Test at Sabin Park, Jamaica, on Thursday (August 12).

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