ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Sumday that there is no reason to drop Imad Wasim from T20 squad for South Africa tour.

Speaking to media, Shoaib said that Imad should have been part of the T20 side but the all-rounder was overlooked by chief selector Mohammad Wasim.

Shoaib praised PCB’s chief executive Wasim Khan for his efforts in improving Pakistan cricket but at times he couldn’t because of his limitation.

Without naming PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, Shoaib said that if a mediocre person is sitting at the top, then decision making will be compromised.

“There was no reason for dropping Imad Wasim for the T20 series [in South Africa],” he said.

Shoaib also urged for improvement in club cricket adding that there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan, but the people who used to encourage club cricketers at local level are no more.

He also named some locals of Rawalpindi, who supported him for playing cricket. He also thanked management of Khan Research Laboratories for naming KRL Stadium after him.

Shoaib also said that revival of cricket series between India and Pakistan will be beneficial for both countries.

To another query about Kashmir Premier League (KPL), he said that he wished that reputed people should organise the KPL to make it success. “I wish honourable people should jump in to organise KPL to build a good narrative and to make the KPL non controversial,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2021