Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik questioned all-rounder Imad Wasim’s slow and ineffective knock versus India in the T20 World Cup match, held on Sunday (June 9) in New York. Playing at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, Babar Azam-led Pakistan opted to bowl first and did well to dismiss India for 119 in 19 overs, riding on Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf’s three-fers along with Mohammad Amir’s 2 for 23. In reply, the Men in Green fell apart — despite needing 48 in the last eight overs — to only manage 113/7. While questions have been raised on several Pakistani batters, Malik pointed fingers at Wasim for his 23-ball 15.

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Malik said on 24 News channel, “You look at his (Wasim) innings, and it appears as if he was wasting balls not scoring runs and making things difficult in the run-chase.” Talking about Wasim’s knock, he came out to bat at No. 5 and struggled throughout the innings, on a tricky surface against a disciplined Indian bowling attack. He only managed a boundary and struck at a woeful 65.22 to further dent Pakistan’s run-chase. The one-time winners were ahead in the run-chase for a majority part, despite India not letting them dictate terms, however, the middle and lower-order failed to close the chase. Wasim’s knock has been severely criticised as the left-hander struggled to get his timing right.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took a dig at Babar’s captaincy after the India loss. “A captain brings everyone together, either he spoils the team environment or he builds the team. Let this World Cup finish, and I will speak openly,” Afridi said.

“I have such a relationship with Shaheen (Afridi) that if I talk about him, people will say I am favouring my son-in-law,” he further added.

After the India game, Pakistan rode on Amir and Mohammad Rizwan’s heroics to beat Canada on Tuesday (June 11) in New York to keep their T20 WC hopes alive. They still need other results to go in their favour and also beat Ireland in their remaining tie to proceed to the Super Eight round in the mega event, being co-hosted by West Indies and USA.

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