Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad has highlighted two leg spinners who could play crucial roles with the ball for the national cricket team in the upcoming ODI World Cup. Shahzad believes that Usama Mir and Abrar Ahmed have the potential to contribute to Pakistan’s success in the marquee event.
Considering the spin-friendly conditions expected in the World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in India later this year, Ahmad Shahzad expressed his thoughts. The tournament is set to commence on October 5, with the final scheduled for November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Shahzad specifically mentioned Usama Mir, noting that his height provides an added advantage in extracting extra bounce from Indian pitches.
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“There are certain players that I personally like,” Shahzad stated during a media interaction in Lahore. “Usama Mir is one of them. Given the batting-friendly pitches in India, his height can help him generate bounce that other spinners may struggle to produce. So, Usama can be very effective,” he added.
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Shahzad also described Abrar Ahmed as a “mystery bowler” and emphasized that his unique style of bowling would benefit the Pakistan team in Indian conditions. “Furthermore, when we talk about Abrar Ahmed, he is an enigmatic bowler. These two bowlers can provide an advantage to the Pakistan team in Indian conditions,” Shahzad concluded.
Usama Mir has represented Pakistan in six 50-over matches, claiming 10 wickets with an average of 30.7 and a strike rate of 5.29. Abrar Ahmed is yet to make his debut for the national team in white-ball cricket but has impressed in Test matches, taking 28 wickets in four matches, including two five-wicket hauls.