Babar Azam has no reservations over team selection: Wasim Khan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wasim Khan rubbished on Wednesday rumours suggesting that captain Babar Azam was unhappy over the exclusion of some players from the World Cup T20 squad.

Rumour was rife on Tuesday that the skipper has expressed displeasure over the exclusion of Sharjeel Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf from the 15-member squad announced for the T20 World Cup. It was reported that the chief selector had changed the squad on the directives of Ramiz Raja, the upcoming chairman of the PCB.

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However, the CEO refuted the notion, saying that the skipper fully backs the squad that has been announced by Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim, and that the team was announced with his input.

“It has come to our notice that factually incorrect reports are circulating about Pakistan national squad environment. The squad for the upcoming international assignments has been announced and our captain Babar Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken,” PCB said in a statement on his behalf.

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The statement reflected on the meeting between Raja and members of the ODI squad that assembled in Lahore on September 7 ahead of the series against New Zealand.

“On Tuesday afternoon, some of the players had a healthy and positive meeting with former Pakistan captain and member of the PCB Board of Governors, Ramiz Raja, in which there was a consensus on the brand of cricket that needs to be played in the upcoming series and beyond.”

The board called on media and cricket fans to firmly support the squad so that they have the stability, backing, and focus they need before going into the ICC T20 World Cup next month.