KARACHI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Sohaib Maqsood has shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s middle-order setup ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027 to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Maqsood took to social media platform ‘X’ where he stressed the importance of consistency in exams and the no. 4 backed a key batsman for a permanent role, pointing to his recent form in white-ball cricket and strong performances in domestic and franchise matches.
He emphasized that continuing in the batting line-up would benefit the team significantly, especially considering the current performance of the senior players in the middle order.
“Shaun Masood should be your number four until the World Cup. Can’t understand why he is in red-hot white-ball form. He excelled in the middle order in the PSL and his List A record speaks for itself,” Maqsood wrote.
He also raised concerns about pitch conditions and test results, and suggested some players might do better waiting for opportunities on balanced surfaces.
“Hasan Nawaz should get a kick in the middle order as well, but if you’re going to prepare these kinds of pitches, all the unselected batsmen are better.
Despite winning the low-scoring final in Lahore to clinch the three-match ODI series, Maqsood’s comments came after Pakistan struggled on a surface described as difficult to bat on as the middle order failed to make a significant impact.
Pakistan won the third ODI series against Australia with this win. The Men in Green first won 2-1 at home in 2022, repeating the same scoreline in Australia in 2025.
Shaun Masood has played nine ODIs and scored 163 runs including a half-century. He last played 50 overs for Pakistan in 2023 against New Zealand.
However, in List A cricket, Masood has scored 6,413 runs in 142 matches at an average of 53.00 including 17 centuries and 39 fifties.
comments