Photo courtesy: IANS
Young fast bowler Naseem Shah has yet to fully demonstrate his talent and skills, according to former Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz. Naseem has claimed 25 victims in 10 games so far in his ODI career, with an average of 16.12 and two five-wicket hauls.
Fazalhaq Farooqi, who Naseem had previously hammered two sixes against to seal a thrilling one-wicket win for carrying Pakistan in last year’s Asia Cup final in the UAE, was the opponent when Naseem recently scored the winning runs for Pakistan in a one-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the second ODI at Hambantota.
“Naseem has bowled well in quite a lot of matches. However, I feel that he has still not performed up to his capability as of yet. He should win matches for Pakistan considering his capability,” Wahab was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
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He added that left-arm pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will be crucial to Pakistan’s hopes, as they build up to Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
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“Shaheen Shah Afridi is skilled with the new ball, and later Haris Rauf takes charge. They are specialists in bowling during the death overs. In the World Cup, Afridi’s ten overs will be of great importance. The team will need wickets from him between the 25th and 35th overs,” he said.
Wahab felt Pakistan were over-dependent on the top order of Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and captain Babar Azam.
“In ODIs, Pakistan heavily relies on their top-order trio of Imam, Fakhar, and Babar. However, Pakistan continues to grapple with issues concerning their middle-order lineup.”
The Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. Pakistan will be kickstarting the tournament by playing Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium on August 30, followed by facing India on September 2 at Pallekele.
-IANS
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