With the defeat against India, discussions of recruiting friends into theteam began. Why not when the consistently underperforming vice-captainShadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, and Imam-ul-Haq have been given consecutiveopportunities for several months, questions will naturally arise?
Both all-rounders, Shadab and Nawaz, flopped in the Asia Cup. Thevice-captain took 6 wickets in 5 matches, including 4 against the weakestopponent, Nepal. On the other hand, Muhammad Nawaz managed just 12 runswith the bat in three matches.
However, the captain’s faith in them did not waver, and they both appearedin the initial three matches of the mega event, where their performanceraised questions among cricket enthusiasts.
Not only the all-rounders, but even opener Imam-ul-Haq is also facingquestions in the team. Though Asia Cup passed, and the World Cup isapproaching, he couldn’t contribute much with the bat. Left-handed openersseem to have made up their minds not to perform against traditional rivalsIndia.
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So far, in 6 matches against the arch-rivals, he have managed only 64 runswith a dismal average of 12. Despite this, they seem to be favored for sucha significant match, which Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is alsoImam-ul-Haq’s uncle, has to explain.
However, it’s not the first time that Pakistan has lost to India in theWorld Cup. In the history of mega events, Pakistan’s victory against Indiais not a common sight. Still, such a humiliating and disgraceful defeat hasnever been seen before, which has shaken cricket enthusiasts.