Former Pakistani opener Aamer Sohail lashed out at Mohammad Nawaz following his subpar performances in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 which is being held in India.
Nawaz has been under scrutiny for a long time, even before the mega event started, as the 29-year-old has failed to perform with the ball or the bat.
Sohail talked about the left-arm all-rounder and said that he was never convinced about playing Nawaz.
“Whenever there were talks of playing Nawaz, I wasn’t convinced," Sohail said. "That is because, before today’s game, he slogged and got out when there were enough balls remaining twice, against India and against Australia. And now again in this game [against South Africa].
“He got out in the 46th over. 24 balls were left. Even if he would have scored 15 out of the 24 balls, it would have made a lot of difference.
“And then when you see his bowling, he’s not even a club level cricketer, dude, and you’re playing him for Pakistan," he added.
It is worth mentioning that Nawaz was given the 48th over after all three seamers — Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Wasim Jr. — had completed their quota of 10 overs.
Nawaz bowled at leg-down to Keshav Maharaj who hit it for a boundary at fine leg when the Proteas required just four runs off 16 balls.
It must be noted that Pakistan were handed a one-wicket loss against South Africa in a nail-biter in Chennai that dented their hopes of playing in the event's semi-final.
That was Pakistan’s fourth consecutive defeat in this mega event — the first time they lost four matches in a single edition of the World Cup.
Pakistan’s chances to qualify for the semi-final of the event have now become a matter of “ifs and buts” because even if the Green Shirts win their remaining three matches — against Bangladesh, New Zealand and England — they would have to rely on other teams' results, which seems nearly impossible.
Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 matches
October 31 - vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 11 - vs England in Kolkata
- Mohammad Nawaz