"I don't know why he's there" - Misbah criticises Pakistan World Cup selection

Mohammad Hasnain has not yet played in the tournament, while Shaheen Afridi featured against Australia and has been picked in the team for Sunday’s game against South Africa at Lord’s

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has criticised his country’s squad selection for the World Cup, asking why Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Afridi were included in the 15-man party.

Hasnain has not yet played in the tournament, while Afridi featured against Australia, but was expensive, and has been picked in the team for Sunday’s game against South Africa at Lord’s.

Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo’s Matchday, Misbah said: “I’m really surprised that they picked Hasnain in the 15 if they were not confident to play him.

“Even they have not played him against England, so I don’t know why he’s there.”

^{Hasnain has not featured in the competition yet}

Both Hasnain and Afridi featured in Pakistan’s series against England before the World Cup commenced, with both youngsters leaking runs. Hasnain’s overs cost 80 runs at Trent Bridge, while the left-arm Afridi went for 80 at the Ageas Bowl and 83 at Bristol.

“Shaheen was struggling even in the last series,” Misbah added. “He was not putting the ball in the right areas.”

After a shock victory against England at Trent Bridge in Pakistan’s second game of the World Cup, Afridi was brought in for his country’s clash with Australia.

However, while Mohammad Amir took five wickets at a cost of just 30 runs from his 10 overs, Shaheen struggled, conceding 70 runs as the Australian batsmen attacked him as a weak link in the attack.

“Against Australia, where the conditions were very good, he was the one who actually gave a start to Australia – he was short, he was full at times, he did not hit that length,” Misbah said.

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