Agha Salman Is A Waste Of Time- Mohammad Asif Comes Down Hard On Pakistan All Rounder After World Cup Squad Announcement

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif has slammed the inclusion of Agha Salman in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan’s chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq announced the squad on Friday (September 22). And one of the major highlights is the inclusion of Agha Salman. Several reports from Pakistan suggested that the all-rounder is likely to be dropped for the World Cup after his poor performance in the Asia Cup. In conditions where most of the spinners and batters made a big mark, the Pakistan cricketer endured a tough time.

In the tournament opener against Nepal, he was out for just 5 runs before scoring 12 runs against Bangladesh. In the Super 4 game against India, he was out for just 23. He also bowled against Bangladesh and India in friendly conditions but could not pick any wicket.

Unsurprisingly, his inclusion in the World Cup squad has invited criticism from the Pakistan selectors from several quarters. And Mohammad Asif is also not pleased with the call. Slamming the decision, the former cricketer called Agha Salman a waste of time.

Mohammad Asif Not Happy With Agha Salman

“I don’t consider Agha Salman as a player, he’s a waste of time. Even I can score the number of runs he scores. He only scores when Pakistan has already scored a lot of runs as a team,” Mohammad Asif was quoted as saying by Pakistan-based journalist Farid Khan.

'I don't consider Agha Salman as a player, he's a waste of time. Even I can score the number of runs he scores. He only scores when Pakistan has already scored a lot of runs as a team' – Mohammad Asif ?#CWC23 #WorldCup2023

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 22, 2023

Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023:

Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup. They are eyeing their second ODI World Cup title and first since winning their inaugural title way back in 1992. The Men in Green are one of the favorites for the World Cup, scheduled to be played from October 5 to November 19 in India.

Pakistan will open their campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad. Apart from Hyderabad, they are scheduled to play in Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. In case Pakistan makes it to the semifinal, the match will take place in Kolkata.

Pakistan Squad for ICC World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr.