Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz should be in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad: Shoaib Mohammad

There has been a lot of hullabaloo over Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021. In Sarfaraz Ahmed, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, and Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named as many four changes in their initially-announced squad for the global event. Speaking of PCB’s selection policy, former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Mohammad said a player shouldn’t be selected on the basis of strike rate.

He also named some players whom he feels should be in the squad. Mohammad also said a balanced side is a combination of youth and experience. Also, consistency and players’ track record should be considered while picking the players. He also called for the inclusion of pacers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz alongside veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who recently replaced injured Sohaib Maqsood in the squad.

Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz have the ability to move the ball: Shoaib Mohammad

“A combination of experience and youth is very important. No team in the world selects players based on strike rate or who can hit a longer six, instead a player’s track record and current form should be the criteria of selection,” Shoaib. Mohammad told Cricket Pakistan.

“Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, and Shoaib Malik could have also been part of this pool of players,” he said. “Malik is an outstanding fielder and batsman. He can play the big shots while also knowing the art of strike rotation. Meanwhile, Amir and Wahab have the ability to move the ball,” he added.

The former Pakistan batsman was also unimpressed with the Misbahul Haq-led Pakistan coaching staff. “There was a vacuum and loopholes in the mindset and the way the team played in the previous Misbah-led setup. For instance, playing Fakhar Zaman in the middle-order raised question marks,” he asserted.

The 60-year-old further suggested that for an event like World Cup, veteran players should be selected instead of young players. “Overall, although they are playing at the highest level, looking at Pakistan’s emerging players I would say that you can’t be a student right at the top, you have to be a teacher when you are playing for your country. This is what my mindset is,” he added.

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