Summary Former Pakistan batsman said Wahab Riaz should be included in the team against India if he is fit
(Web Desk) – Former Pakistan batsman and commentator Ramiz Raja said Wednesday Indian batting lineup is weak and can be exposed against Pakistan with the liked of pacers Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz.
He gave his expert opinion on India-Pakistan battle in ICC Champions Trophy 2017 which is scheduled on June 4. Raja believes express pacer Wahab Riaz should be picked in the playing eleven if he’s fit. Reports on Tuesday claimed Wahab Riaz was unfit as he didn’t show up in training. He was seen bowling with a shorter run-up and spent less time in gym than normal.
However, experts and team management told the 31-year-old bowler will be fit for the match against India, though he was seen bowling out of rhythm in the training session on Wednesday.
Related: Wahab likely to be dropped from Champions Trophy squad, say reports
When asked who should be asked to open the bowling, Ramiz Raja replied saying obviously Wahab Riaz because the conditions of Edgbaston, where India and Pakistan will face-off for the third time in mini World Cup challenges, are preferable for the right-arm bowler. The veteran cricketer added that the fiery pace and swing of Riaz would not neutralise as on the flat 24 yards surfaces in Subcontinent.
He reaffirmed Wahab Riaz will get more side-ways movement, seam, swing and bounce due to his extra pace. Ramiz Raja even suggested to open the bowling with Wahab Riaz asking why haven’t the green shirts experimented this case before. Out of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz, the renowned commentator has rested his expectations on shoulders of the senior most bowler.
While talking about batting lineup of the world’s number three ODI team, Raja claimed it was fragile, adding that Virat Kohli played reluctantly against Junaid Khan while Rohit Sharma was known to take time to settle in the beginning of his innings. He recommended a ‘bowling formula’ against India.
In the spinner’s department, Raja selected Shadab Khan for the encounter against India, rather than Fahim Ashraf and Imad Wasim, because of his exquisite talent to bowl the googly . He maintained that even the former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum praised the young leg-spinner who has been contracted with Australian Big Bash for their next season.
Moreover, Raja looked hesitant to include the newly fit Harris Sohail and opined to open with Ahmed Shehzad and ex-captain Azhar Ali for a solid foundation.
It should also be noted that Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said, in a media talk, the playing XI could even have four fast-bowelrs, and that his team would gift the win against India to the nation for the upcoming festival Eid-ul-Fitr. He assured that the green shirts would try their best to maintain good record against the arch-rivals in ICC Champions Trophy.
Related: India, Pakistan past encounters in ICC Champions Trophy
