logo
Babar and Rizwan aren't Pakistan's key players; they don't win you matches: Hafeez

Babar and Rizwan aren't Pakistan's key players; they don't win you matches: Hafeez

India Today2 hours ago
Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has slammed Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez, saying that calling them key players of the team would be unfair as they haven't won any match for the team in a long time. Both Babar and Rizwan failed to find a place in the 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the 2025 Asia Cup.advertisementThe duo last featured in the shortest format on the tour of South Africa and has been out of contention ever since. Recently, while sharing his thoughts on Pakistan's Asia Cup squad, Mohammad Hafeez said that both Babar and Rizwan don't carry the tag of being key players of their team anymore due to the lack of match-winning performances.'Calling them key players would be wrong and unfair. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not Pakistan cricket's key players at the moment. Key players are those who win matches for Pakistan,' said Hafeez on his YouTube Channel.
Both Babar and Rizwan have been criticised for their poor performances in the ICC events since 2022 as they haven't lived up to the reputation of being the team's senior-most batters.Furthermore, Hafeez, who's also served as the director of cricket for Pakistan's men's team, mentioned Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz as consistent performers for the team. He also criticised Naseem Shah and Shahen Afridi for not giving match-winning performances.'If we look at the past year and a half to two years, the players showing consistent performance are Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz. Why aren't we talking about them? They are the current players winning matches for Pakistan. The same goes for Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, they are also not giving match-winning performances for Pakistan,' he added.Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the Pakistan T20I side, while Shaheen Shah Afridi retains his place after making his return during the West Indies tour, following a brief absence in the Bangladesh series.Pakistan will participate in a T20I tri-series also featuring Afghanistan and hosts UAE. The series kicks off on August 29 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, followed by the Asia Cup, which starts from September 9.- EndsTrending Reel
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Empty slots: Players in contention for the last two spots for India in Asia Cup squad
Empty slots: Players in contention for the last two spots for India in Asia Cup squad

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

Empty slots: Players in contention for the last two spots for India in Asia Cup squad

While most names in the Asia Cup squad may face little debate, two spots may prompt some discussion when the selection panel meets on Tuesday. Here's looking at the choices and what they bring to the table: Mohammed Siraj: After his indefatigable display in England, the only logic that should keep him out of the squad would be the much-debated workload management. If there's any player deserving of a rest, it's Siraj, who played every match of the five-Test series, bowled the most overs and got the most wickets and was instrumental in India earning a share of the spoils. Crucially, he ran in from his first ball to his last, and never let up in pace. Harshit Rana: He is known to lose pace and energy in later spells, but shouldn't have much trouble in managing four overs. He has caught the eye with wicket-taking spells for both franchise and country, and isn't lacking in aggression, as he showed in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth late last year, before losing his wheels in Adelaide. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has seen what he is capable of while being in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Prasidh Krishna: He got better as the England series progressed, but is known to thrive more in conditions that offer bounce and some lateral movement. The tall pacer has got all the tools, but whether he would be the ideal bowler for the pitches in Dubai is debatable. His best performances in an India shirt have come when he has been handed responsibility, often in Jasprit Bumrah's absence, as was seen in Sydney and more recently at The Oval. Shreyas Iyer: If the selectors take a call on pure batting pedigree, they don't have to look beyond the player who led two different franchises, both with the willow especially against spin and his leadership, to IPL finals in two successive seasons. He brings calm and game awareness and can set the game up and also finish it. Shreyas has developed a swagger of late and commands respect in whichever dressing room he finds himself in. The player who defined the last IPL should logically be in the Indian T20 side. Rinku Singh: He has been designated a finisher by his IPL team as well as when he has turned out in India colours, often limiting the number of balls he gets to face. Winning a game for his team by hitting five successive sixes in the final over is a rare occurrence, and that freak achievement, while bringing him into the national spotlight, has pigeon-holed him as an endgame player. It doesn't help that Gambhir doesn't like to designate any player as a finisher in his team. Riyan Parag: He has been earmarked as a promising talent but has not quite delivered, at least not on a consistent basis. He has played the odd impressive knock for Rajasthan Royals, but is not known to win games for his side. The Assam player has a second string to his bow in the form of his part-time off-spin, but that's usually good for only a couple of overs. Selectors have been waiting for the 23-year-old to show a mature head on his shoulders to stake a viable claim to a spot in the national side. Washington Sundar: He did all that was asked of him in England – save a Test, hit some big blows in the company of the tail making the vital difference between victory and defeat, while getting crucial wickets with his underrated off-spin. His skill-set would be useful in Dubai, and he was part of the side that won the ICC Champions Trophy there earlier this year. It helps that Gambhir is fond of depth, in both batting and bowling.

Jasprit Bumrah makes himself available ahead of Asia Cup 2025: Report
Jasprit Bumrah makes himself available ahead of Asia Cup 2025: Report

Business Standard

timean hour ago

  • Business Standard

Jasprit Bumrah makes himself available ahead of Asia Cup 2025: Report

India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Asia Cup in Dubai, providing a major boost to the national side ahead of the crucial tournament. According to sources within the BCCI, Bumrah recently informed selectors that he is ready to return to action and has communicated his fitness status. Asia Cup squad to be finalised soon The senior selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet on August 19 in Mumbai to finalize a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup, which will be played between September 9 and 18 in the T20 format. Bumrah, who was released from Test duties after India's win at Edgbaston in July, last featured in international cricket during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in June 2024. With the Asia Cup being a T20 event, the workload on Bumrah is expected to be more manageable compared to Test cricket, giving the management flexibility in choosing his spells. To ensure smooth preparations, the Indian team will travel early to the UAE. Most players will head directly for the Asia Cup, though the BCCI had initially proposed a preparatory camp in Bengaluru. Arriving a few days ahead will allow players to get acclimatized and practice before the tournament kicks off. Positive fitness updates for Team India Meanwhile, India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav has also been declared fit after completing rehabilitation from a lower-right abdominal hernia surgery in Germany earlier this year. Yadav underwent a detailed fitness program at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and has now been cleared to participate. His return comes as a timely reinforcement, with his leadership and batting firepower crucial for India's campaign. Suryakumar had faced multiple injury setbacks over the past year, including surgeries for sports hernia and ankle issues. Despite that, he showcased his class in the IPL, scoring 717 runs for Mumbai Indians, finishing as the second-highest run-getter of the season. His fitness clearance ensures India will have both Bumrah and Yadav available, two key figures as the team aims for continental glory in Dubai

'Excited to see some fresh faces': Pakistan head coach after announcing Asia Cup squad minus Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan
'Excited to see some fresh faces': Pakistan head coach after announcing Asia Cup squad minus Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

'Excited to see some fresh faces': Pakistan head coach after announcing Asia Cup squad minus Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan have named a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament in the UAE and the preceding tri-series in Sharjah, with head coach Mike Hesson expressing confidence in a 'highly competitive' group that blends youth with experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Significantly, the selectors have opted to leave out two stalwarts, and Mohammad Rizwan, both of whom last featured in T20Is in December 2024. While the duo's absence raised eyebrows, Hesson underlined that the decision was part of a larger strategy to broaden the player pool and give fresh talent exposure on the international stage. "We've put together what we believe is a highly competitive squad following the recent T20I series. Excited to see some fresh faces stepping up alongside our experienced senior players. A great blend of energy & experience for the Tri-Nation series & Asia Cup," wrote Hesson on X. EXCLUSIVE: India to boycott Pakistan in Asia Cup? Harbhajan Singh says, 'Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. "Our squad features five front line seamers to adapt according to UAE conditions, along with two attacking mystery spinners. With depth in batting, much improved fielding side along with the bowlers mentioned above we overall have an excellent balanced squad." Pakistan's campaign begins with a tri-nation series against Afghanistan and UAE from August 29 to September 7, before the high-profile Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9. The team will be led by Salman Ali Agha, while seasoned pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi headlines the bowling unit, joined by Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza. Chief selector Aaqib Javed emphasised the squad's ability to compete at the highest level, particularly in the marquee clash against India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'This team has the ability to beat India. Whether you like it or not, India vs Pakistan is the biggest game in world cricket. Every player knows this,' Javed remarked. Hesson meanwhile stressed that Babar Azam remains in the long-term plans, but wants him to sharpen his approach against spin and improve his strike rate in T20 cricket. Pakistan are grouped with India, UAE and Oman in Group A of the Asia Cup, which concludes on September 28.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store