In a video shared on social media, former Pakistani women’s cricketer and commentator Urooj Mumtaz voiced her concerns about the team’s performance against the USA.
The discussion was sparked by a question from ESPN about whether Fakhar Zaman or Iftikhar Ahmed should have been on strike during the super over.
Urooj Mumtaz asserted that Fakhar was the right choice given his prowess as a left-handed batter, but she felt that the team management had downplayed the significance of this decision.
“Yes, Fakhar should have been on strike since he’s a left-handed batter and the left-arm bowling would have suited his angle. However, this wasn’t the main issue. A top team losing to an associate team, especially in such a manner, is a massive upset in my opinion,” said Urooj.
She also emphasized that batting maestro Babar Azam needs to accelerate his innings at the right moments when the team requires him to shift gears.
“Babar Azam’s strike rate in today’s match, especially at the time of his dismissal, was concerning. He struggled to connect well with the ball early in his innings due to the USA’s effective bowling,” she said.
Urooj also expressed strong opinions on team selection, questioning the inclusion of Azam Khan in the playing XI. She suggested that Mohammad Rizwan should continue as the team’s main wicketkeeper.
Furthermore, she recommended that once Imad Wasim recovers, he should replace Azam Khan in the lineup, emphasizing the need for a balanced selection that includes the all-rounder.
Urooj’s insights provided fans with a deeper understanding of the game’s critical moments and the strategic thinking behind team selections.
