Ijaz Butt blames wrong selection for T20 defeat

Published
0

“Wrong captain, wrong selection, specially of the wicket-keeper led to the shameful defeat on Friday.” -Photo by AFP

LAHORE: Former PCB chief and ex-Test cricketer Ijaz Butt on Saturday lashed out at the Pakistan team for losing the opening T20 match to Sri Lanka in a sluggish way and blamed the team management for wrong planning which proved costly.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, Ijaz said: “Wrong captain, wrong selection, specially of the wicket-keeper (Shakeel Ansar) led to the shameful defeat on Friday.”

Ijaz said that he had advised Zaka not to remove Misbah as T20 skipper and avoid elevating Hafeez for that post since the all-rounder lacked leadership qualities, but his advice was not heeded.

The former PCB chairman further said Adnan Akmal or Sarfraz Ahmed could have been better choices as wicket-keeper in place of little-known Shakeel Ansar who could not impress with his skills behind the stumps.

Ijaz reckoned that Shahid Afridi and a few others did not deserve any place in the team.—Sports Reporter

Opinion

Editorial

Restructuring plans
Updated 10 Nov, 2026

Restructuring plans

It would be a much wiser move, politically speaking, to take up any debate on administrative restructuring again after the next general election.
Extreme heat
Updated 10 Nov, 2026

Extreme heat

Climate adaptation is yet to find a place in our agricultural policies.
Israel power struggle
10 Nov, 2026

Israel power struggle

A POWER struggle is emerging after last month’s elections in Israel resulted in no party securing the requisite...
Antalya agenda
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Antalya agenda

For Pakistan, the priority should be to secure easier access to climate funds, more grants rather than debt-creating loans, and clear deadlines for financial contributions.
Beyond viewership
09 Nov, 2026

Beyond viewership

PAKISTAN has an enormous appetite for online content. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, it...
Rabid Modi
Updated 09 Nov, 2026

Rabid Modi

Modi’s silence throughout his reign of fear shows his endorsement of hate.