Pakistani fast bowler Hasan Ali has backed all-rounder Shadab Khan after he was accused of playing for money in the Big Bash League (BBL). After sustaining a finger injury while playing for the Hobart Hurricanes during the BBL in Australia, Shadab was not selected for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Shadhab’s best friend, Hasan, decides to support the all-rounder.
“Mera Dost [my friend], your passion and dedication to Pakistan are unquestionable. Pakistan is a priority for all of us and I am honored to represent our country. I only play in the league when I am not on a Pakistani team,” he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, Shadab has been very polite in speaking out against critics. He saw his experience at the BBL as the reason why he performed so well with Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
Modifications in the Pakistan ODI squad
Legspinner spends three weeks on the sidelines after breaking his right index finger. His ODI series of three matches between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on 9, 11, and 13 January at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena.
Wrist-spinner Mir has been called up to replace Shadhav in the squad after his excellent performance in the Pakistan Cup. Shammasud and Harris Sohail have been recalled after missing ODI cricket in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Kamran Ghulam, who is part of the Test team, has also been included in the ODI team for the first time.
Pakistan’s ODI squad:
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Haris Sohail
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Naseem Shah
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shahnawaz Dahani
- Shan Masood
- Tayyab Tahir
- Usama Mir
Danish Kaneria’s comments on Hasan Ali’s inclusion
Danish Kaneria believes that Hasan Ali’s addition to Pakistan’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand was only due to his friendship with skipper Babar Azam.
The former spinner opined that Ali did not deserve to be a part of the squad. Kaneria claimed that pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr was accidentally dropped by the Pakistan team management just to accommodate Babar’s friend in the lineup.
Read More: Hasan Defends Shadab After The All-Rounder Is Accused Of Playing In The BBL For Money
While Ali replaced Wasim Jr for the second and final Test of Pakistan’s home series with New Zealand, his performance failed to impress on Day 1. The fast right-hander bowler failed to take a single wicket on the all-important Thai opening day.
Kaneria said on his YouTube channel on Monday, January 2nd: “Hasan Ali did not deserve to be part of the XI to play in. Mohammad Wasim Jr. was dropped for no reason. Chosen just because there are, and they didn’t add any special freaks. Who’s the person who gives them consent to make such a decision? ”
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