Ex-Pakistan player accuses Babar Azam of lobbying and favouritism ahead of ODI World Cup

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has been criticised by cricket experts for his poor batting performance and captaincy during the 2023 Asia Cup. Babar and Co. were knocked out of the multi-nation Asian tournament after their Super 4s stage following their losses against India and Sri Lanka. The Pakistani team also suffered a huge setback ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 as star pacer Naseem Shah is ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury. PCB has named right-handed pace bowler Hasan Ali as Naseem's replacement in the tournament. 

3 things you need to know 

• Pakistan will play against New Zealand in their first ODI World Cup 2023 warm-up match on September 28
• Pakistan has only won the ODI World Cup once in 1992 
• Pakistan was not able to make it to the knockouts of the 2019 ODI World Cup 

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Mohammad Asif tears into Hassan Ali over ODI World Cup 2023 selection 

Former Pakistan cricket team pacer Mohammad Asif, who suffered a ban from international cricket due to his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal has slammed Hasan Ali's selection in Pakistan's 2023 ODI World Cup squad. While speaking in his Twitter Space, Asif said that Hassan has found a place in the team due to his constant 'lobbying' 

Mohammad Asif further said: 

Hasan Ali is part of the lobby, he eats with Babar Azam and other players. He is in the team because he is part of the lobby, this used to be the case when we used to play too. A lobby doesn't select players from outside. 

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Hassan Ali's forgetful Pakistan vs Australia T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final 

Pakistan cricket team pacer Hassan Ali had a forgetful night during the Pakistan vs Australia T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final. Hasan went for 44 runs in his spell of four overs and also dropped a simple catch of Australian batter Matthew Wade. The Aussie wicketkeeper-batsman at the end played an innings of 41* runs and smashed Shaheen Shah Afridi for three sixes in the 19th over and took his team to the finals of the tournament. After Pakistan's loss in the semi-finals, Hasan Ali faced a lot of hate from the fans and soon was dropped from the team.