‘Shadab is no doubt is a very good bowler, but he is struggling’ – Shoaib Malik suggests change in Pakistan bowling line-up

Shadab Khan and Shoaib Malik (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik urged Babar Azam to drop Shadab Khan in the side’s upcoming match, given the all-rounder’s unimpressive performances so far in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup. The 1992 champions will next take on Australia in their fourth match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 20.

Shadab’s place in the lineup has been questioned by many after the side’s clash against arch-rivals India in Ahmedabad. Malik stated that Shadab is struggling with both bat and ball and he should be dropped from the upcoming match.

“Shadab is no doubt is a very good bowler, but he is struggling. If you see Adam Zampa too was not able to land his leg-spin on the correct spot even though he has bagged four wickets against Sri Lanka in Lucknow on Monday, but his sliders and googlies were landing correctly,” Malik told A Sports.

“As far as Shadab is concerned, the Pakistan cricket team expect ten overs from him, not four or six. That’s why I feel he should be changed,” the former cricketer added.

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Shadab and Nawaz should not play together for Pakistan: Wahab Riaz 

Wahab Riaz, a former Pakistan pacer, feels Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz should not be included together in the lineup, picking Usama Mir in place of either of the duo.

“Shadab and Nawaz should not play together for Pakistan. I would rather have Usama Mir in place of either of those two. Pakistan have been obsessed with all-rounders, but we haven’t been able to understand who our strike bowler is if pacers don’t deliver. You need to have bowlers who give you wickets,” Riaz told PAK Skills.

Meanwhile, Misbah-ul-Haq stated that Abrar Ahmad, who is picked as Pakistan‘s reserve player, should have to be included in the squad.

“Abrar should play. In the PSL, he used to bowl in the powerplay. In the tournaments, a team will face you once only, unlike in a bilateral series. He could have been a mystery bowler and he should have been considered for the World Cup,” says Misbah.