Misbah-ul-Haq reveals reason behind selecting Usman Qadir in T20Is
Misbah said Usman Qadir is playing and in T20, there is a spark in his bowling.
(Web Desk) – Pakistan team’s chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday decided to throw a spanner in the proceedings and chose a completely revamped T20I team for the upcoming tour to Australia.
There were many surprises in the team with many of the young pace sensations being given a chance and return of Mohammad Irfan into the fold.
However, nothing surprised the Pakistan fans and left them scratching their heads were the selection of Usman Qadir, leg spinner and son of late Abdul Qadir, who plies his trade in Australia and has appeared in the Big Bash League without much success. Some time back, the leggie had also lamented the fact that he had not got many chances back in Pakistan and wanted to play the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia for Australia if given a chance.
This will be the first assignment for new T20I captain Babar Azam, who is a good friend with Usman Qadir and the fans joined the two facts and alleged that this was the reason why Qadir was chosen out of the blue. Misbah had to explain the rationale behind Usman’s selection after receiving flak from all corners on social media, with some former Pakistani cricketers also pointing out this.
“Usman Qadir is playing and in T20, there is a spark in his bowling. He has some experience of playing in Australia in the BBL. All the white-ball cricket he’s played, he has some zip in his bowling. He has an advantage due to height and he has variations, a good flipper, googly, leg-spin is also good. Considering that we’re facing an issue with our wrist-spin back-up and his experience in Australia, we picked him in the team and we’re also keeping the T20 World Cup in Australia in mind,” Misbah said.