PAK vs WI: Babar Azam Said Shan Masood Is Not A Middle-Order Batter - Rashid Latif Furious Over Pakistan's Team Selection

Updated - 10 Jun 2022, 05:37 PM

Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif. Image source- 24newshd.tv

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan skipper, was furious with Pakistan’s team selection for the ODI series against the West Indies.

On Wednesday, Pakistan made a victorious beginning to their One-Day International series against the West Indies, defeating the opponents by five wickets in Multan. Babar Azam hit a brilliant century (103), Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan both hit half-centuries, and Khushdil Shah stayed unbeaten on 41 in a quickfire knock to help Pakistan finish the 306-run chase successfully.

Babar Azam Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Image: Twitter

The exclusion of Shan Masood from the team for the WI series drew some concern from the Pakistani community. Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman, has also criticized the choice to abandon Masood out, saying it wasn’t a nice look when Mohammad Haris, who earned his ODI debut in the first match, was placed in the middle order despite having opened in the Pakistan Super League.

Shan Masood
Shan Masood Image Source: Twitter

On his official YouTube channel, Latif remarked: “Babar Azam stated in his pre-match press conference that he is an opener rather than a middle-order batsman. However, based on his T20 performance, Haris is promoted to the middle order the next day. It was unappealing to me. I truly felt horrible.”

Do Balochistan players not have the right to play?: Rashid Latif

In addition to Haris’ selection, Rashid Latif mentioned the exclusions of young wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, who has been going to perform steadily in Pakistan’s domestic circuit.

“Everyone is involved.” When a team is chosen, the committee chooses the starting XI first, which means Haris is already on the team. I don’t understand. I’ve seen Haseebullah perform admirably for Balochistan, and I believe he will continue to do so. In U19, he had two centuries. Do Balochistan players lack the chance to play?” Rashid Latif stated.

Haseebullah Khan
Haseebullah Khan. Image: ICC

“On the one side, you’re claiming Shan Masood isn’t capable of playing in the middle order. On the other side, you have a batter who batted in the middle of the order in PSL as an opener. How can you explain that?” Rashid Latif added.

The 2nd ODI match between Pakistan and West Indies will be played on 10th June at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan.

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Rashid Latif Shan Masood West Indies tour of Pakistan 2022