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Pakistan axe struggling Malik for Asia Cup
Misbahul Haq will lead the squad despite calls for his axing.
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (R) celebrates with his teammates after he dismissed England's Kevin Pietersen (unseen) during the first Twenty20 match between Pakistan and England at the Dubai International cricket Stadium in the Gulf emirate's Sports City on February 23, 2012. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
LAHORE: Pakistan’s new selection panel Saturday left out struggling all-rounder Shoaib Malik and opener Imran Farhat from the 15-man squad announced for Asia Cup in Dhaka later this month.
The four-nation event includes defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will be held March 11-22.
Malik, 30, was controversially selected for last month’s one-day and Twenty20 series against England despite being not in the best of form. Pakistan lost the ODIs 4-0 and T20 series 2-1, leading to calls for an overhaul of the team.
Misbahul Haq will lead the squad despite calls for his axing after he failed to win the last Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi when he was bowled off the final delivery, leaving England victorious by five runs.
Iqbal Qasim, head of the new selection committee which took charge on Thursday, said wholesale changes were not needed.
“We have selected the best possible squad for the Asia Cup in the shortest time available and since Malik was an additional member for the England series we couldn’t find a place for him in the 15-man squad,” Qasim told AFP.
Malik, who had 35 runs in his last eight one-day matches before the England series, managed 23 and seven in the two matches he got to bat against England and was certain to be axed.
Malik was included against England on captain Misbah’s insistence but Qasim said the skipper was consulted on the new lineup.
“We did consult Misbah and he agreed to the selection,” said Qasim.
Former opener Farhat and wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal were also left out while in-form opener Nasir Jamshed and wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed were included.
“Jamshed has done well recently so we have included him,” said Qasim of the 22-year-old left-handed opener.
Not considered for selection were allrounder Abdul Razzaq and wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal – not part of the team since last year.
Pakistan will also have a new coach in Dav Whatmore who is expected to sign a two-year contract later Saturday. The former Australian batsman, who guided Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996, replaces interim coach Mohsin Khan.
Khan led Pakistan to 3-0 Test victory over England last month but failed in the limited over series.
Squad: Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Hammad Azam, Asad Shafiq, Shahid Afrid, Azhar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz.
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Where is Ahmed Shehzad ,He was highest Scorer of BPL what else he can do to get selected.
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we saw boomboom as a captain and drop misbah from national team
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It should have been Kamran Akmal instead of Sarfraz Ahmed…
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Misbha ! You are good lucky charm for us Indians. We will repeat the WC semifinal show.
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I think Pakistan need new and young cricketers for 2015 world cup.
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Why Is MISBAH Still Out There In Squad???Recommend
Afridi should take as leader misbah is not a one day and t20 player.he is well for test.and imran nazir and ahmad shahzad should in squad
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Imran nazir should also be there…..and misbha well all know that he don’t deserve place in team and our bad luck is ….he is our captain …:( well best of luck PAK team…
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its very un fortunate for pak to play yet another tournament under the captency of lazy misbah ul haq
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Why don’t miss just give retirement from the one day’s and leave us for good…!!! …:@
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Good luck team PAKISTAN.
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Sir my comments about Imran Nazir And Ahmed Shahzad MuHAMMAD SAMI aZAR Mahmood
Sir both player played very well in BPL 2012 Sir i requested you to plz give him the chance for Pakistan team You know Ahmad Shehzad leading socur in BPL and Azhar Mehmood perform in bowling and bating All the player played very attcking cricket Pakistan team need these player for One day matches please i requsted ti selcctors to please noted about these player
thanks
Zaheer
Sialkot
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It is unfortunate that BCB has no regards for the feelings of the nation. We might not be professionals but do know cricket and watch it with naked eyes and see that who is playing positive cricket and who not. Misbah is a mediocre cricketer and do not have very outstanding average in batting with lowest average and strike rate. He does not have too many centuries and half centuries against his name. No records and nothing else. His performance so far made us hate cricket and too many cricket fans have left watching cricket just because the team is lead by no man. Asia cup meant a lot for all of us but it is likely that PCB is waiting for another lose to make changes in the team. There is no room for Misbah in ODI and T20 formate and we all know it.
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All the Best Boys!
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two persons will be expelled from the squrd misba and hafeezRecommend
Should have included Ahmed shezad as an opner.
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i hate Misbha i want Ahmed Shahzad and Imran Nazir back in team instead of Asad shafiq and azhar ali . same selection team same results . i hate this want chages changesssssssssssssssss
can any body tell them this is not a right team
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yes but is it the right choice for the next world cup’s preparations and for coming t20 wc.. misbah can’t play for next wc so we should plan that .
\
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I think Misbah’s request to avoid major changes was accepted for one more tournament.
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Misbah shouald announce his retirement from t20 and 50 overs
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ahmad shehzad is best. Where is he.
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we want our youngsters to open like Umar Akmal and he is the number 10th odi player.
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where is imran nazir he is the best player of one day
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I think Misbah should be given one chance.Although, he was too defensive to win last T20 for us but we should not forget his great services to Pakistan Cricket.I have not read in English Media that Strauss should be out of team for miserable defeat against Pak.Recommend
What is Rubbish.Misbahul Haq is captain
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Afridi should take as leader misbah is not a one day and t20 player.he is well for test.and imran nazir and ahmad shahzad should in squad & It should have been Kamran Akmal instead of Sarfraz Ahmed , pakistan should have included Ahmed shezad as an opner .
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bring boomboom………………..no one else can compete him in Pak cricket team.
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Where is Imran Nazeer & Ahmad Shehzad
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@everyone screaming for team changes: there needs to be some consistency in the team. You can’t go and play every match with a different team composition and expect to win. Give the team a break. They have won a lot of matches, and lost a few. They need to be supported, and encouraged and given some time to regroup and gel together. Misbah is a good captain. Don’t blame him for the T20 and ODI losses. A good team rejoices together and faces the blame together.
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Hi,i have sent 2 comments,but u did not add my comments,it means i should not send the comments on your page,all the best and bye,disappointed
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Misbah has got the reward as pakistani team captain of losing against india in world cup semi final,that match was totaly politicised,bad team selection again,no fast bowle again.Good luck team pakistan in the presense of misbahRecommend
why every one targeting to Misbah,what he has done..what do u think about Hafeez.checkout the record of this player.who is opening bat for Pakistan team since 3 years. Luckly He does play well in 1 match out of Ten.Plenty of our young talented players.Why PCB dont give chance to other Player. like Ahmed Shezad,Imran Nazeer…
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i thnk misbah z the most cnsistent btsman n pak bt the problem z that no other btsman suport hm…thnk abt afridi,umar akmal. Yunus,hafeez..what they hav dne?
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It means we should not expect anything good from this team. Mostly merit have been avoided. A person does not even deserve any place in squad, is appointed as captain of the team. Its strange. “We Are Our Own Enemies” Well done SELECTORS and worthy CHAIRMAN.
Congratulation to INDIANS who have Won the CUP before playing it.
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Agree with @ashok sai…Misbah please try to control your love for big matches..hahaha
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surprised about nasir jamshed in the squad
why not ahmad shahzad and imran nazir are included in the sqaud
we dont need even misbah
misbah should b ashamed of himself for what is he playing for making his (50)half centuries in hundred balls and getting the team in pressure
it is better u get attacking batsman instead of this lazy captain
whos alwaz been a reason for pakistan loss
who says there is only afridi for captains choice we can make some younger player even
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we want afridi as captain and the most important asset of the team kamran akmal and imran nazir thesy two guys should be included in the team other wise pak will face the music …………..best regard team pakistan……….
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@sohail:
what about Asad Ahafiq. He is the most consistent batsman of pakistani team.
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@Ilyas Farooq:
if asad Shafiq and Azir Ali are excluded from the team then pakistani team would prove to be a wall of sand and little blast of air would be enough to wipe it out. i think it is best team in the current circumstances. **
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Misbah is good for the TEST cricket only. Just hanging in their to cause the slow run rate is not the right skills needed for the one day cricket, no matter how many runs you make in that many overs. Misbah is a different class only suited for the TEST cricket.
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We want imran nazir back in pak team and misbah is good captin he need improve
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for GOD sake ,get ride of frm misbah,
i dont belve pak team to brekthrog in asia cup ,
he is not eligable for odi @ t 20,
i have never seen selfish man like misbah ,he is hungre for mony & fame ,
shame on u misbah ,when kook ,kallis,tendulkr ,trot ,bell,& teyller nt palying t 20 ,to saying this we are nt suitable for this formet ,
how would u make ur self ready for t20 ,
shame on u ,misbah &shame on u selctors
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sir i think that Shoaib Malik must be there because he is an experienced batsman and i think if you will not give him chance how he will perform he is much better than Younus khan because khan is always been out on 1 or 5 but malik played well
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