‘Dropping seniors from T20 squad is ridiculous’

Sadiq Mohammad says Babar should have been included in T20 squad for SL series

KARACHI:

Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has criticised the decision to drop senior players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha from the T20 squad, saying Pakistan should not have made sweeping changes after losing a series or a tournament and should instead give experienced players an opportunity to recover and perform.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sadiq said the decision reflected poor thinking by the selectors and coaches and warned that Pakistan's batting problems required greater attention to technique, discipline and shot selection.
“Winning and losing are part of the game,” Sadiq told this correspondent.

“It does not mean that if you have lost the previous series or tournament, and you drop all your senior players like Babar, Shaheen, and Salman. That is a ridiculous and immature decision,” Sadiq said.

“I cannot understand the mindset of our selectors and coaches. When you have immature officials, they tend to make decisions like these without thinking about the long-term consequences,” said Sadiq.

He said all other teams have suffered defeats in the past, but they have not responded by changing their captain and dropping their senior players. 

“Usually, they make one or two changes and give the team an opportunity to recover and perform.” 

“Babar should have been included in the T20 squad. Pakistan needs technically sound batsmen who have the ability to build an innings and either set or chase a difficult target,” he said.

“Pakistan must select batsmen who have good technique, patience, and sound shot selection. It is the batsmen who take the team close to the target and give it the opportunity to win.”

“An established batsman at the crease must also guide the incoming batsmen, particularly the less experienced players, and encourage them to rotate the strike, play according to the situation, and avoid unnecessary risks.”
Sadiq backed the decision of giving more opportunities to young pace-sensation Razaullah.

“Keeping Razaullah in both formats is a good decision. A player who is in form should be given a consistent run for at least two or three series,” Sadiq said.

“The biggest problem Pakistan is struggling with is batting. The coaches and selectors need to communicate clearly with the team, especially the top five batsmen. They need to work on their mindset, discipline, shot selection, and understanding of how to win matches,” Sadiq pointed out.

“When playing T20 cricket, especially while chasing a target, the objective should be to stay close to the required run rate. Ideally, you want two of your top batsmen at the crease during the final three overs.”

“They should concentrate on finding boundaries while rotating the strike through singles and twos, aiming for around 8–10 runs per over rather than constantly looking for sixes,” Sadiq explained.

“In modern cricket, batsmen and tail-enders seem more interested in scoring 18 runs in an over than in surviving and playing the last ball of the 20th over with a realistic chance of winning. Top-order batsmen are often responsible for losing matches because of reckless shots,” Sadiq said.

“This is where good coaching, the right mindset, and proper guidance are required, particularly on how to chase a target intelligently and stay close enough to give yourself a wining chance,” Sadiq said.

He said the PCB must seriously consider restructuring and properly scheduling the President’s Trophy and the domestic one-day competition. 

“If the PCB establishes a strong and competitive domestic structure in these two formats, the T20 team will also automatically benefit from a stronger pool of technically sound and mentally prepared players,” Sadiq said.
However, he said this requires the right people with the right mindset to run the system. “Our top players should also be required to play at least five matches in each domestic competition to be eligible for selection in the Test and ODI teams.

This would ensure that our best players remain connected to domestic cricket while also helping develop a stronger foundation for Pakistan cricket,” Sadiq signed off.

Pakistan are set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series starting on Friday at the Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi.