NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Salim Malik has accused all-rounder Imad Wasim of deliberately wasting balls during Pakistan's six-run defeat to India in their ICC T20 World Cup match in New York. Chasing a modest target of 120 runs, Pakistan fell short at 113 for 7, consuming a staggering 59 dot balls in the process.
Imad Wasim's slow-paced innings saw him take 23 balls to score just 15 runs, which Malik criticized as detrimental to Pakistan's run chase.
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"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," Malik said on the 24 News channel.
Adding to the controversy, another former captain, Shahid Afridi, hinted at internal discord within the team, suggesting that some players have issues with skipper Babar Azam. Afridi emphasized the crucial role of a captain in maintaining team unity and morale.
"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. He also noted his close relationship with left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, his son-in-law, who was removed as T20 captain just before the World Cup.
The Pakistani team has been under fire following consecutive losses to the USA and India, putting their Super Eight chances in jeopardy. Pakistan's hopes now rely on winning convincingly against Canada and Ireland, while also hoping for losses by the USA to India and Ireland. Even if these conditions are met, the final qualification will likely depend on the net run rate.
(With inputs from PTI)
