Reports of Babar Azam unhappy with T20 World Cup squad are 'false'
Last updated on: 08 September,2021 05:07 pm
Reports of Babar Azam unhappy with T20 World Cup squad are 'false'
LAHORE (Web Desk) – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has termed the reports of captain Babar Azam being unhappy with the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup as ‘false’.
On Monday, chief selector Mohammad Wasim had named a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup to be held in UAE in October and November. The squad named for the World Cup will also play in the upcoming home T20I series against New Zealand and England. Post the squad announcement, several reports emerged about Azam being unhappy with the team selections.
Several objections were raised after the announcement of 15-member squad and the critics calling it an out of merit selection and expulsion of experienced players.
Following the announcement, several media outlets, citing sources, claimed that Babar Azam was not taken into confidence in selecting the squad and that he was not happy with the selection.
Meanwhile, PCB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wasim Khan said on Wednesday that the reports of Babar Azam being unhappy with the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup were factually incorrect. He also said that Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken.
"It has come to our notice that factually incorrect reports are circulating about the Pakistan national squad environment. The squad for the upcoming international assignments has been announced and our captain Babar Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken," said Khan in a release by the PCB.
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 8, 2021
"On Tuesday afternoon, some of the players had a healthy and positive meeting with former Pakistan captain and member of the PCB Board of Governors, Ramiz Raja, in which there was a consensus on the brand of cricket that needs to be played in the upcoming series and beyond," added Khan.
"It is important that collectively we get firmly behind the squad so that they have the stability, backing and focus they need prior to going into the ICC T20 World Cup next month," concluded Wasim Khan.