Pakistan fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani has expressed his disappointment over being excluded from the national squads for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023. Dahani took to social media to voice his frustration after his name was missing from a tweet shared by former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif, showcasing the List A stats of Pakistani fast bowlers. Despite having an impressive record of 56 wickets in 31 List A games, Dahani’s omission from the squads raised eyebrows.
In a sarcastic comment in response to Latif’s tweet, Dahani questioned whether he was not considered a Pakistani pacer. Furthermore, he criticized Pakistani sports journalists for failing to question his absence from the squads and not presenting his statistics to the selectors. However, Dahani later deleted both of his tweets, and it has been reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might take action against him for his social media outburst.
Dahani’s most recent international appearance was during a T20I tri-series between Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in October 2022. Now, with Pakistan gearing up to face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, followed by the Asia Cup 2023, Dahani’s exclusion has raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.
The squads for the tour and the tournament have been announced, with the likes of Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, and Babar Azam leading the way. However, the absence of Dahani, who had impressed with his performances in domestic cricket, has left many puzzled.
Earlier this year, Dahani was selected in the Pakistan ‘A’ squad for the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup 2023. Despite a strong start to the tournament with a five-wicket haul against Nepal ‘A’, he failed to pick up any wickets in subsequent matches against UAE ‘A’ and India ‘A’. Nevertheless, the Pakistan ‘A’ team emerged victorious in the tournament, defeating India ‘A’ by 128 runs in the final.
As Pakistan prepares for their upcoming series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023, the exclusion of Shahnawaz Dahani has become a topic of debate. While fans and experts continue to question the decision, it remains to be seen if the Pakistan Cricket Board will address the situation and provide an explanation for their choices. Dahani’s disappointment reflects a desire to represent his country on the international stage and contribute to Pakistan’s success in the ODI format.
