Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed his concerns about Pakistan being the only team that hasn't announced its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
Pakistan will be the last team to unveil their line-up for the global showpiece tournament, following Bangladesh's announcement on Tuesday (May 14).
The Men in Green finished their three-T20I tour of Ireland on Tuesday. The Babar Azam-led side will now travel to England for a four-match T20I series, scheduled to get underway on May 22.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz didn’t only express his displeasure with Pakistan's squad announcement delay but also claimed that every player is on trial.
"Pakistan is the only team that has yet to announce its squad for the T20 World Cup. Out of 20 teams, 19 have announced their squads. I don't understand where Pakistan are stuck. They can't handle the combinations. They are still trying to read the potential. All players are on trial. It feels like every player is on trial," Ramiz said.
The Pakistani pacers looked out of touch right through the series. While Shaheen Afridi took seven wickets in the series, he gave away 89 runs across three T20Is. In their two games together, Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah claimed four wickets while conceding 96 runs.
Hassan Ali, who replaced Naseem in the third T20I, returned with the abysmal figures of 0/42 in his three overs.
"Some bowlers look under pressure. Hasan Ali had a bad outing, and Mohammad Amir's performance was flat. What is the role of Abbas Afridi? He looks like Saim Ayub, a lost cause. You need to announce the World Cup squad quickly because not each player can be on trial," Ramiz added.
In the third and final T20I, Pakistan defeated Ireland by six wickets in Dublin to clinch the series 2-1. Chasing 179 to win, the visitors rode on half-centuries from Babar Azam (75 off 42) and Mohammad Rizwan (56 off 38) to overhaul the target in 17 overs.
"Babar Azam's strike rate has been outstanding, even in this inning, he played really well. Even though it came against a weak bowling line-up, runs are runs. So it should be considered whether Saim Ayub should be played until his confidence gets ruined," Ramiz remarked.
