Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan expressed optimism for Imad Wasim‘s potential return from retirement in international cricket. Shadab Khan urged Imad Wasim to reconsider his decision and join Pakistan’s squad before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Imad Wasim played a pivotal role in securing Islamabad United’s third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title. The all-rounder’s remarkable contributions earned him the title of ‘Player of the Match’ in all three knockout stage games of the recently concluded tournament.
The left-arm spinner picked up three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs against Quetta Gladiators in Eliminator 1. He then scored an unbeaten 59 off 40 balls, including nine boundaries, and guided the team to victory over Peshawar Zalmi in Eliminator 2.
The 35-year-old showcased an exceptional performance against the Multan Sultans in the final match in Karachi. Wasim picked up a five-wicket haul to limit the opposition team to 159/9. He later guided the run chase with an unbeaten 19 runs in a low-scoring game.
Had Also Talked To Imad Wasim – Shadab Khan
Islamabad United captain Shadab Khan expressed hope that Imad Wasim will reconsider his retirement and make himself available for this year’s World Cup. Shadab emphasized the importance of Imad’s presence, stating that Pakistan needs players of his caliber.
“I want to when Imad made the decision, I had also talked to him that I didn’t want him to leave,” Shadab said.
“Because Pakistan needs players like him. God willing, if there is a discussion with him, hopefully, he will come back because the World Cup is approaching and the way he is performing and his experience in CPL (Caribbean Premier League), Pakistan definitely needs him,” he added.
Imad Wasim secured four wickets in six matches in the 2021 T20 World Cup, with his best figures of 2/25 against Afghanistan. However, he was omitted from the recent tournament in Australia, with selectors favoring Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab as their main spinners.
Imad hasn’t featured in a T20I for Pakistan since April last year. The left-arm spinner bagged two wickets against New Zealand in Rawalpindi in April last year. He remains open to a potential recall, especially if requested by Pakistan T20I skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi.
I Have No Issues With That – Imad Wasim
Meanwhile, Imad Wasim recently opened up about the possibility of making a comeback, stating he is ready to serve Pakistan if needed.
“I made a name for myself while playing for Pakistan and if my country needs me, I will be available. If not, I have no issues with that,” Wasim told local media last week.
The Pakistan all-rounder announced his unexpected retirement from international cricket in November last year. He participated in major tournaments like the World Cup 2019 and the T20 World Cup in 2021. He made his ODI and T20I debuts in 2015.
The veteran cricketer played 55 ODIs and 66 T20Is, where he accumulated impressive batting and bowling stats with 986 runs and 44 wickets in ODIs and 486 runs and 65 wickets in T20Is.
Also read: Watch- Imad Wasim instigates Babar Azam fans amid chants of former Pakistan captain in Karachi
