Imad Wasim Hits Back After Wasim Akram's Criticism On Ignoring Domestic Cricket

Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has given a candid response to former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram’s comments on players who are not participating actively in domestic cricket.

While talking on a local sports channel, Wasim Akram raised concerns about players prioritizing other commitments, such as the T10 cricket (10-over cricket), over tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy or the ongoing Pakistan Cup.

“The players who are busy with the Pakistan team are fine but what about others? A couple of them are sitting on television and they want to play for Pakistan. How is that possible?” Akram said.

Imad Wasim addressed Wasim Akram’s remarks with an on-point but candid response. He expressed his frustration, stating his own experience of getting dropped without any reason even after being the No.2 all-rounder in ICC rankings.

Watch- Imad Wasim’s Candid Response To Wasim Akram

Imad Wasim responds back to Wasim Akram pic.twitter.com/DiwRFeAFbE https://t.co/qyp725dNNs

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“When I was playing for the Pakistan team, I was the World No. 02 all-rounder in rankings, and without any reason, I was dropped. Please tell me what is the guarantee now that if I will play domestic cricket, they will consider me? Secondly, whoever has pointed this out, I will call him myself if I ever need an advice,” Imad said.

The 34-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder highlighted that despite his good performance two years ago in domestic cricket, he was not considered for national selection. Imad Wasim last played a one-day international match in November 2020 against Zimbabwe. Imad’s last international appearance was in April this year against New Zealand in a T20 match.

“Two years ago, when I was asked to play domestic cricket, you can see my performance. But even then, I wasn’t considered. So there’s no guarantee here,” he further added.

Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq is already facing a probe and was forced to resign as he was found to be a stakeholder in ‘Yazo International Limited’, a company owned by Pakistan national players’ agent Talha Rehmani. This means that there might be a conflict of interest involved within the selection process of Pakistan’s World Cup squad and Imad Wasim might be right about Pakistan’s selection not providing any guarantee on performance.

Pakistan’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign is on the verge of being officially over. They are sitting in the fifth position and in order to pip New Zealand of their Semi-Final spot, Pakistan have to beat England by an unimaginably high margin. If Pakistan bats first they have to win by a 287-run margin, if they bat second they have to chase down the target in 2.4 overs.