'A bunch of ex-Pakistan cricketers...': Adam Gilchrist fires back at Saleem Malik over Imad Wasim criticism

T20 World Cup 2024:

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NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Saleem Malik has made allegations against all-rounder Imad Wasim , claiming that he intentionally wasted deliveries during the T20 World Cup match against India. Pakistan, chasing a modest target of 120 runs, fell short by 7 runs, ending their innings at 113 for 7.The team consumed an astonishing 59 dot balls during their chase. Wasim scored only 15 runs in 23 balls with the help of one boundary.In response to these accusations, Australia legend Adam Gilchrist took a swipe at the notion of accusing a player of deliberately underperforming in a match that resulted in a loss."A bunch of ex-Pakistan cricketers haven't missed their teams, at all. I mean Saleem Malik, of all people...I'm just reading the comments and paraphrasing, and I haven't heard him say, but had I heard him, it wouldn't have been to my benefit because it was in Urdu. He accused Imad (Wasim) of chewing up deliveries on purpose to make it a bit more interesting. Now I don't know if there are other accusations which come with that," Gilchrist said."He [Imad Wasim] made sure that he doesn't get out and keep bettering his batting average. If I'm a batter and I'm not getting runs then I would try taking risks, no matter if I get out. But he kept on eating up deliveries and then changed the ends with singles," Malik said."Imad Wasim didn't get to play much cricket since the last PSL. Shadab Khan , who scored 40-odd against the USA in the last game, shouldn't have been promoted up the order. Sorry, but I would like to question why he [Imad Wasim] was promoted up the order, given that he hadn't got enough chances before [the World Cup]. The batter should at least have tried something instead of playing dot balls," he added.