Why is Imad Wasim not playing today’s PAK vs NED match of 2023 ODI World Cup?

Pakistan are once again entering a World Cup with a lot of buzz around them. Once again, they are the unpredictable ones as nobody knows which Pakistan will turn up on the given day. The Men in Green were looking like a settled side ahead of the Asia Cup 2023.

However, a massive loss to India and a shocking loss to Sri Lanka derailed them. Suddenly, there were talks of dropping some players and bringing back experienced players like Imad Wasim. Pakistan are missing an experienced all-rounder in their playing XI and Imad has always been there in white-ball cricket to fill that space. However, he will not be playing against Netherlands.

Why is Imad Wasim not playing?

Imad is not playing this game as he is not a part of Pakistan’s squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. The team management decided to persist with out-of-form Mohammad Nawaz for the mega event.

Imad Wasim has been playing in T20 leagues across the globe and he performed brilliantly with the bat and the ball in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League. Courtesy of his fantastic form, the fans demanded his return to the Pakistan side.

However, the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq denied Imad’s comeback to the national side. He explained his decision saying that Imad Wasim has to play domestic cricket to mount his comeback to the national side.

As per reports, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam didn’t want Imad Wasim in the ODI World Cup 2023 squad as Azam doesn’t get along with the latter. For the last couple of years, he has given a long rope to Mohammad Nawaz as the left-arm spinner in the side who could bat.

However, Nawaz hasn’t been at his best for quite some time now. He has not looked good with the ball and hasn’t been able to contribute much with the bat as well. Nevertheless, Imad Wasim was not selected for Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 squad.