Former test cricketer Aaqib Javed expressed his displeasure over Zaman Khan’s exclusion from the Pakistani team for the series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup by rating the former “higher than” Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket.
Aaqib Javed rates Zaman over Naseem: During a media interview in Lahore on Wednesday, Aaqib Javed emphasized that Zaman Khan currently stands as one of the premier death-overs specialists globally. He highlighted that Zaman’s unmatched capability to bowl during the concluding stages of an innings sets him apart.
“I still think Zaman Khan’s abilities in white-ball are the best. No bowler comes close to him when it comes to bowling in death overs, the man who recently saw him in the Canada League claimed.
The preferred bowler for Pakistan in white-ball cricket, Naseem Shah, was then ranked lower by Aaqib Javed than Zaman.
“I regard him higher than Naseem even. Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman must be your top three picks when playing white-ball cricket, after which you can choose Naseem Shah, he continued.
Then, with a sense of humour, Aaqib Javed confirmed that the three he had mentioned is a member of the Lahore Qalandars, the PSL team for whom he serves as director and head coach.
“You’ll say I just support the bowlers from the Lahore Qalandars [laughs]. But in white-ball cricket, Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman should be your bowlers, he continued.
“Inzamam-ul-Haq Reveals Squads: Emphasis on Experience and Potential”
The national men’s selection committee’s chairman, Inzamam-ul-Haq, revealed the squads on Wednesday during a news conference. “Zaman Khan has done well with the white ball but he lacks experience in 50-over games,” the former skipper stated in response to a question about Zaman Khan’s absence.
He continued, “We have seen in T20 games where he has performed well that he definitely have the potential. If he participates in more first-class matches, he will benefit Pakistan.
Naseem Shah, currently representing Colombo Strikers in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), shares the top spot for the most wickets in the league with a total of seven. He achieved this feat during his participation with Toronto Nationals in the recently concluded GT20 Canada.