PAK vs WI: You Can't Say An Opening Batsman Can't Bat In Different Roles - Shan Masood Responds To Babar Azam's "Unfair To Play Him At No.5" Remark
Published - 12 Jun 2022, 04:34 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:08 AM
Shan Masood, a Pakistan batsman who was not selected for the ODI series against the West Indies, spoke out about Babar Azam’s remarks about his batting role.
Pakistan defeated West Indies by 120 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series in Multan, attempting to secure an unimpeachable 2-0 lead.
While veteran Pakistan players praised the team, they remained unhappy with Shan Masood’s exclusion from the ODI team.
Babar Azam had commented about his omission before the series, arguing that the 32-year-old is a top-order batsman and that playing him in the middle-order would indeed be “unfair.”
“Shan Masood plays at the top of the lineup and has never played further down. I believe it would be unreasonable to place Shan at Nos. 5 or 6. We’re keeping a watch on him, and he’ll be examined in the context of the team’s overall balance,” Babar added.
‘I don’t have an issue with the batting order: Shan Masood
Shan Masood has responded to Babar’s remark by discussing his exclusion from the Pakistan team in great detail.
“As I’ve mentioned before, I might not have a problem with the batting lineup. An opening plays in all aspects of the game, encountering both new and old balls, and taking on both spin and pace bowlers. He is doing the striking as well if he remains until the end. So you can’t argue he will not understand how to play in a variety of situations.”
“I used to play regularly of no.4 when I was first starting in domestic cricket. When the team wanted me in the PSL, I performed at no. 3,” Shan remarked in an interview with Cricket Pakistan on their YouTube channel.
On Sunday, the West Indies will face Babar Azam’s Pakistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI) in the bilateral series.
