Ex-captain calls Abid Ali’s exclusion for World Cup ‘unjust’

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday it’s much anticipated 15-men World Cup squad, opening their hearts for some while busting the chances for others in the process.

Opening batsman Abid Ali too was one of the unlucky players, who despite getting selected in the earlier World Cup 17-Men squad failed to make into the final 15, an exclusion deemed ‘unjust’ by former captain turned cricket commentator Ramiz Raja.

“The exclusion of Abid [from World Cup squad] was unjust,” said Raja. The former captain was of the view that the opening batsman didn’t get a chance to display his talents in the ODI series against England.

“He played only one match and was dropped as if the cricketing management didn’t wanted Abid to play, as it would have become a problem for Pakistan cricket if he had scored runs in the series, and  there would have been pressure on selection between Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik,” added Raja.

The opening batsman was dropped in place of aggressive middle order batsman Asif Ali, which the Pakistan cricket chief selector Inzamam ul Haq admitted was ‘a tough’ decision. “The way Asif Ali bat in the series, so we thought that we should have player at sixth, seventh spot that could accelerate the run rate, that’s the reason we have selected Asif in place of Abid Ali,” he said.

Pakistan World Cup 15-Men Squad:

Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt), Asif Ali, Babar Zaman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnian, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz