Need a strong bowling attack to win World Cup, says Pakistan’s Shadab Khan

“The team which has a good bowling attack will win the tournament. In these conditions, containing batsmen and picking wickets is difficult. Wickets here are flat and boundaries short, so whichever team bowls well will win the tournament. We too have world-class bowlers and if we do well, we can win the tournament,” Shadab told a press conference on Sunday.

📸 Training snapshots

Giving their 💯 in the field.#CWC23 | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/p9NH10S1Zf

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 1, 2023

Mohammad Wasim Jr too can crank up the speed gun on a regular basis while Hasan Ali, Naseem’s replacement, is an experienced campaigner as well.

However, a major area of concern for Pakistan heading into the tournament is their spin bowling department, which struggled to pick wickets in the middle overs during the Asia Cup even in subcontinental conditions. Shadab himself managed six wickets in five games at an average of 40.83.

“My form hasn’t been good recently. A player gets mentally down due to unsatisfactory performance. However, a break has given me a chance to recover and I look forward to performing well in the WorldCup,” the leggie said.

As far as Pakistan’s batting is concerned, opener Fakhar Zaman is under pressure after a horrid run of form in recent times.

In five Asia Cup outings, the left-hander managed 65 runs at an average of 16.25. But Shadab backed his teammate to produce match-winning performances.

“He is a big and impactful player, even if not in every game. Players like these are not consistent. The three tons he has made this year have come in a winning cause. Every team would like to have a world-class player like him. We want to give him the mental space. We don’t have as many impact players as Fakhar. Those kinds of players would always be supported. When he performs in big games, the team wins,” Shadab said.

India will remember Zaman because of the match-winning century he hit against them in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final.

Shadab also expressed admiration for fellow wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who had a five-wicket haul in his last outing against Pakistan, and said India skipper Rohit Sharma is one Indian batsman he enjoys watching.

“I am a leg-spinner so I will pick Kuldeep Yadav because of the kind of form he is in. In these conditions, it is very difficult for spinners to do well,” he said. “I like Rohit Sharma as he is one of those batsmen who once he gets himself in, it is very difficult to get his wicket and he becomes very dangerous.”