Imad Wasim, who was seen smoking cigarette in dressing room, makes himself available for selection just 4 months after announcing retirement

Imad Wasim last played for Pakistan in April 2023.

Imad Wasim, who was seen smoking cigarette in dressing room, makes himself available for selection just 4 months after announcing retirement

Imad Wasim (Image via ESPN)

Imad Wasim retired from international cricket in November 2023 not being picked for over 7 months. He had issues with former captain Babar Azam. The all-rounder said he wanted to focus on playing in T20 franchise leagues, and since then has played in the BBL, MLC and the BPL. 

Recently Imad Wasim featured in the Pakistan Super League, where he plays for Islamabad United. He won Player of the Match awards for his performances in the Eliminator 2 and the finals. In the Eliminator 2, he scored a match-winning fifty against Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi. In the finals, he took a match-winning five-wicket-haul, after which he was found smoking in the dressing room. 

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After his heroics in the PSL, many called for Wasim to return to the national team, and Wasim had rescinded his retirement. Talking to the media, Wasim revealed that captain Shaheen Afridi had contacted him and asked him to be available for the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

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. Shaheen called me after I retired but I told him that we will talk after PSL. 
Imad Wasim said

The Pakistani selectors will soon select a shortlist of players for the 2024 T20 World Cup. They will take part in a camp and then will face New Zealand in a 5-match T20I series in April.

Pakistan’s search for head coach hits roadblock as top two candidates reject 

After sacking Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistan Cricket Board began the search for a new coach for the Men’s team. PCB’s latest chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, wants to hire foreign coaches for the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. 

PCB
Pakistan Cricket Board headquarters (Image via Hindustan times)

Their search had two viable options, Shane Watson and Darren Sammy. Watson is the coach of Quetta Gladiators and the PCB had a long discussion with him during the PSL. Although he was interested, he rejected their offer, claiming he had prior commitments as a commentator in the IPL and head coach of Seattle Orcas. Sammy rejected the offer as he currently is the white-ball coach of the West Indies side.

With these rejections, the PCB now has to build an interim team management for the New Zealand series and maybe for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan veterans like Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan and Mohammad Yousuf are potential coaches. 

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