Kamran Akmal argues resting key players is a strategic misstep in World Cup preparation
Pakistan cricket team’s decision to rest some key players in the second ODI against New Zealand has drawn criticism from former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Shan Masood were all left out of the playing XI for the second ODI. Instead, Ihsanullah and Usama Mir were included in their place. Kamran Akmal believes that the decision to rest key players was not a strategic move and would deprive the players of valuable opportunities to get match practice ahead of the 2023 World Cup in India.
Kamran Akmal said that Shaheen Shah Afridi, one of Pakistan’s premier pacers, should have played the 50-overs format in the second ODI to help him get his rhythm back and increase his pace, which the team needs at the moment. He added that Afridi’s workload could have been managed in a better way, and he should have been rested in the T20I series instead.
The former wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal also highlighted the importance of playing main players like Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to resuscitate their forms and rhythms, keeping the future in sight. He said that he does not understand who is making these decisions and not thinking about the future.
It is not the first time that the Pakistan cricket team’s management has been criticized for resting key players ahead of important tournaments. The team rested Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, and Shadab Khan during the 2019 World Cup match against Afghanistan. The decision backfired as Pakistan lost the match, and their chances of making it to the semi-finals were significantly reduced.
The Pakistan cricket team’s decision to rest key players has come under scrutiny at a time when the team is struggling to find its form. The team has lost seven out of their last ten ODIs and has failed to qualify for the final of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
Pakistan cricket team’s recent performances have also raised questions about the team’s management and selection. The team has been criticized for its inconsistent selection policy, with some players being dropped after just one or two bad performances, while others persisted despite their poor form.
The team’s decision to rest key players also raises questions about the management’s priorities. With the 2023 World Cup just two years away, it is crucial for the team to find its form and rhythm, and resting key players may not be the best way to achieve that.
Pakistan cricket team’s next assignment is the T20 World Cup later this year, followed by a tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in 2022. The team’s management will need to carefully balance the workload of its players and ensure that they get enough match practice ahead of these important tournaments.
Read More: PCB refuses to compromise on hybrid model, Asia Cup’s fate hangs in balance
The decision to rest key players in the second ODI against New Zealand has come under criticism from former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal. The team’s recent performances and inconsistent selection policy have also raised questions about the management’s priorities. With important tournaments coming up, it is crucial for the team to find its form and rhythm and balance the workload of its players carefully.
