Pakistan cricket fans were left scratching their heads when young wicket keeper-batter Haseebullah Khan was left out of the squad for the ongoing New Zealand tour.
Many assumed it was due to performance issues or an injustice with the youngster, but national selector Asad Shafiq has now set the record straight.
Injury, Not Performance, Kept Haseebullah Out
Speaking at an event in Karachi, Shafiq dismissed all speculation, confirming that Haseebullah’s omission had nothing to do with his form. Instead, it was an injury that forced the youngster out.
“Haseebullah ko Australia mai chance diya tha, magar injury ki wajah se woh bahar hogaya. Jab woh rhythm mai aayega toh usay phir se moka milega.”
This should put an end to all the unnecessary debate. Haseebullah is still very much in the selectors’ plans—he just needs to recover fully.
Pakistan’s Selection Process: A New Direction?
One of the most promising takeaways from Shafiq’s comments was his commitment to domestic performers. He assured that Pakistan’s new players are being selected purely on merit and based on their performances in domestic cricket.
“Hamara kaam hai domestic ke ladkon ko moka dena. Jo perform karega, usay chance milega.”
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This is a refreshing shift in Pakistan cricket—gone are the days when selections felt mysterious and inconsistent. Now, if a player performs well in domestic cricket, they’ll get a fair chance at the international level.
T20 World Cup Plans & Stability in Selection
With the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan is focused on building a strong squad. Shafiq acknowledged that T20 cricket is high-risk, so testing different players in various conditions is crucial.
“T20 cricket mai risk zyada hota hai, isliye players ko moka dena zaroori hota hai. Aur jo bhi team mai aya hai, usay pura chance milega.”
At the same time, he addressed concerns about frequent team changes, assuring fans that no player will be dropped after just one bad series.
“Hum bhi chahte hain ke har player ko proper chance mile. Aisa nahi hoga ke ek series ki nakami par kisi ko bahar kardenge.”
This is exactly the kind of clarity and stability Pakistan cricket has needed for a long time!
Asad Shafiq’s statements provide much-needed clarity. Haseebullah’s exclusion isn’t a snub—it’s just bad luck with injury. And more importantly, Pakistan’s selection process is heading in the right direction, with a focus on domestic performance and player stability.
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