Chief Executive Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wasim Khan has categorically denied rumors suggesting that Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam has expressed reservations over the exclusion of some of the players from the World Cup T20 squad.
In a statement early Wednesday, Wasim said that the skipper fully backs the squad that has been announced by the Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim, and that the team was announced with his input.
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“It has come to our notice that factually incorrect reports are circulating about Pakistan national squad environment. The squad for the upcoming international assignments has been announced and our captain Babar Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken,” said a PCB statement on Wednesday.
Wasim Khan: It has come to our notice that factually incorrect reports are circulating about Pakistan national squad environment. The squad for the upcoming international assignments has been announced and our captain Babar Azam is fully behind the direction that is being taken.
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) September 8, 2021
The statement reflected on the meeting between the upcoming PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, and the players of the ODI squad that assembled in Lahore before going into quarantine ahead of the series against New Zealand.
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“On Tuesday afternoon, some of the players had a healthy and positive meeting with former Pakistan captain and member of the PCB Board of Governors, Ramiz Raja, in which there was a consensus on the brand of cricket that needs to be played in the upcoming series and beyond.”
The board called on media and cricket fans to firmly support the squad so that ‘they have the stability, backing and focus they need prior to going into the ICC T20 World Cup next month.’
Earlier, the rumor was rife that the skipper has expressed displeasure over the exclusion of Sharjeel Khan, Fakhar Zaman, and Faheem Ashraf from the squad. It was reported that the chief selector has changed the squad on the directives of Ramiz Raja.