After a poor and below-par performance at the ODI World Cup 2023, Babar Azam was removed from captaincy from all-three formats. Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed as the white-ball skipper while Shan Masood was handed red-ball captaincy.
Nevertheless, after just one series which was against New Zealand, Afridi was removed from the role and Azam was reappointed for the same role. If anything, it took the media and fans by surprise.
In his recent interview with PakPassion, the all-rounder Imad Wasim, who was the part of the Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, said that he was “surprised” when Babar was reappointed as the captain of the Pakistan team.
“Yes, I was surprised,” Wasim said, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the decision. “What can I say, it’s ultimately the selector’s call. Whatever they thought was the best option, they picked, and they picked the team [accordingly].”
He added, “Everybody in Pakistan was surprised, not just me. So, I can’t say that I was not surprised.”
He also talked about his own performance in the T20 world cup, particularly against India, that he wasn’t “up to the mark”
“Yeah, our performance wasn’t up to the mark to be honest and we have to accept that, including myself. So yeah, but it is what it is. I think we had a good side, but it didn’t click. It can happen in any format, especially T20. But yeah, it was disappointing. I was really disappointed.”
Talking about the NOC’s issues, Imad said if a player opts out from NOC and becomes a freelance cricketer, it doesn’t make them less patriotic.
“So I don’t take central contracts because I want to play. I want to be a freelancer playing league cricket as well. And whenever the opportunity comes in, I come and play for my country. So it’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with that. And then what people say, you’re not patriotic and stuff”
“It’s not like that. You’re patriotic enough to live in Pakistan, talk about Pakistan, to represent Pakistan as an ambassador all over the world. So, it’s nothing wrong”
“It’s just some of the media people, they just say things which are inappropriate. But I believe it’s up to every individual. If he gets the opportunity, if he wants to play, he can come and play”
“If he thinks that he wants to, he’s happy with the central contracts and playing for Pakistan, so be it. So I don’t see any difference in that. And there shouldn’t be any problem”
Lastly, Imad said he was disappointed when the side lost to the USA and when the Test side lost to Bangladesh. The allrounder did not tell his future plan for the Pakistan team but currently he is playing in the CPL.
“Look, I’m playing cricket. Actually, I’ve played a lot of cricket for three years now. I think I can play three, four, five more years of cricket. I’m happy. So let’s see how it is.Let’s see what will happen. But hope for the best. Whatever it is, definitely, I’ll always come up and say things”
