'He was neither able to bat nor bowl' - Aamer Sohail questions Shahid Afridi's selection in 1999 World Cup

Pakistan won the ODI World Cup for the first time in 1992. They even had a chance to become the champions in 1999 after making it to the final of the mega event. But the Wasim Akram-led side lost to Australia thanks to their batting collapse. Almost 21 years after the game, former Pakistan cricketer Aamer Sohail has raised questions over the team selection during the tournament and in the final.

He alleged that when he was a captain in 1998, the selectors had decided to stick to the regular openers for the World Cup who can stay in the middle and also play out the new ball. The WC in 1999 was played in England where the new ball swings predominantly for the first few overs. Sohail also questioned Shahid Afridi’s selection in the team despite not performing.

Afridi played eight matches in the tournament and scored only 93 runs while picking a solitary wicket. “When I was captain in 1998, we had decided with the selectors that we should have regular openers for the World Cup who can stay at the wicket and play out the new ball.

“Unfortunately you opted for Shahid Afridi, he had the ability on flat low-bouncing tracks where he would take on the bowlers and bring the opposition under pressure,” Aamer Sohail said while speaking on his official Youtube channel.

It was a big gamble, says Aamer Sohail

The 53-year-old also reckoned that picking Afridi ahead of an in-form Mohammad Yousuf was a big gamble and it didn’t play off even in the final. He pointed out that the big-hitting all-rounder could neither bowl nor bat at that time, and he was found for wanting in demanding conditions.

“But in demanding conditions, that is a big gamble. He was neither able to bowl nor able to bat. If I was the captain instead of Wasim Akram, I would have preferred Mohammad Yousuf,” the former Pakistan opener added. In his video, Aamer Sohail also went on to say that Wasim Akram should’ve opted to bowl after winning the toss in damp conditions.

Pakistan were bundled out for just 132 runs in the final, and the score was chased down comfortably by Australia with more than 30 overs and eight wickets in hand.