Pakistan cricket team opener Ahmed Shehzad has performed inconsistently in T20 International matches in recently concluded series against New Zealand. He scored 33 runs in 3 innings at an average of 11.00.
In last 9 T20I matches Ahmed Shehzad has only scored 142 runs (15.77 average) with a highest of 46. In last 10 ODI matches Shehzad scored 298 runs (29.80 average) with a highest score of 95.
It is now time to drop Ahmed Shehzad from T20I team for upcoming T20 Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20 which will be held in Bangladesh and India respectively. Kamran Akmal should be picked for these tournaments.
In recently concluded One Day Cup ex-opener of Paksitan cricket team Kamran Akmal (captaining National Bank of Pakistan) performed marvelously as he scored 576 runs in 8 matches at an average of 72.00 with a strike rate of 97.46. Kamran scored six fifities and one hundred in the tournament and was named Best Batsman of the tournament.
Spot fixing tainted former Pakistan cricket team captain Salman Butt was also in superb form as he scored 536 runs at an astonishing average of 107.20. Many will argue (same like Mohammad Amir) that Salman Butt should not be selected for national side. However I differ as Salman has now completed his punishment therefore he should be given chance.
Salman Butt scored 536 runs at an average of 107.20
However Salman must perform in two or three more tournaments consistently and his behavior should be monitored before his inclusion in national side.
For now it is time for Kamran Akmal to get position of Ahmed Shehzad as a batsman as wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed is doing his job properly.
Salman Butt has scored 536 runs in 7 Matches (Avg 107), (1 (100) & 4 (50) since his return to domestic cricket. pic.twitter.com/a4TljmEew7
— Pakistan Cricket (@PakCricketPK) January 29, 2016
Pakistan needs Salman Butt more than M. Aamir – Rashid Latif #priorities
— Jibran T. Siddiqui (@jibransiddiqui) January 24, 2016
Yasir Arafat "I was very impressed with Salman Butt's batting. He's still good enough to play for Pakistan" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) January 23, 2016
PCB Chairman hint return of Muhammad Asif and Salman Butt "Like amir no legal hurdle on return and handling will be fair too"
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) January 25, 2016
By Mubashir Mahmood. Tweet as @mubashirmahmood