PAK vs NZ: Ex-Pakistan cricketers tear apart Babar Azam for Imad Wasim's non-selection in 1st T20I

Former Pakistan cricketers lashed out at the skipper Babar Azam for his poor team selection in the first T20I against New Zealand. They weren't happy after the reappointed captain dropped Imad Wasim from the team for the first game. 

Pakistan locked horns with New Zealand in the first game of the five-match T20I series in Rawalpindi on Thursday (18th April). However, rain played the spoilsport and the match was washed out, having witnessed only three balls of New Zealand's innings. 

Pakistan's team selection for the first T20I against New Zealand came under the radar. They didn't pick Imad Wasim in the team and it raised quite a few eyebrows. The all-rounder recently took back his retirement and it was expected that he would make a return straight away. 

However, it wasn't the case as they Imad Wasim wasn't picked for the team. In his place, Pakistan handed debuts to UAE-based off-spinner Usman Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. This came as a surprise because the all-rounder had a great time in the Pakistan Super League. 

Former Pakistan player Iqbal Qasim believes that Pakistan dropping Imad Wasim makes no sense. He made a bold decision, saying that the all-rounder should've played in place of Shadab Khan. He stated: 

"It makes no sense to me, honestly, Imad should have played in place of Shadab Khan." 

Former player, head coach, and chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Team believes that Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who came out of retirement, should get as many matches as possible on the International stage. He added: 

"So much hue and cry over bringing back Imad and Amir and they must get maximum matches to overcome their rustiness in international cricket." 

Would have made more cricket sense to have Imad - Former Pakistan cricketers thrash Babar Azam 

Another former player of the team lashed out at Babar Azam for his decision to drop Imad Wasim. He claimed that playing the left-hander would've made more sense than playing Shadab Khan. He stated: 

"Would have made more cricket sense to have Imad who is a left-arm spinner and brings more power to the lower batting order compared to Shadab." 

Cricket writer and analyst Omar Alavi made a bold remark, saying that Babar Azam needs to make wise decisions on his second stint as captain of the team. He explained: 

"Babar has got a second chance to create his own legacy as Pakistan captain but to do that he has to ensure selection on merit and situational requirement."

Of late there were reports which claimed that Babar Azam and Imad Wasim don't get along together. They had a fight with each other during the PSL, which made Babar leave Karachi Kings. Mohammad Hafeez later revealed that Wasim called his retirement because he wasn't treated well by the Babar-led Pakistan team management.

The second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played on Saturday (20th April) at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium.