With the World Cup 2023 around the corner, there have been serious questions over Pakistan's leg-spinner Shadab Khan's form as the 24-year-old is finding it difficult to give the Green Shirts a breakthrough with the ball.
Former Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz addressed the same issue and raised some serious concerns about the all-rounder's form.
Wahab, 38, believes confidence should be given to the players who are new to the team, not to those who have been around for a long time.
Speaking in a video on Zalmi TV, the left-handed pacer discussed Shadab's underwhelming spell against India during their Super Four clash in Colombo.
"Shadab has been inconsistent. Yes, there are talks about giving confidence to the players but you give confidence to those who are new to the team. Shadab has been around for a while now and needs to understand what's expected from a player of his calibre," Riaz said.
Wahab also discussed Pakistani skipper Babar Azam's decision to bowl first after winning the toss — which came as a surprise to many — as further questions were raised after Indian batters got off to a flying start in the first few overs.
"I feel this is India's strategy to bat their 50 overs and let rain come and washout the game (laughs). Jokes apart, I think even if the game had got shortened, Pakistan would have had an advantage as it would have gone in T20 mode. So any captain who would have won the toss in these conditions could have chosen to bowl first," Riaz added.
It must be noted that the play between Pakistan and India was resumed on reserve day on Monday as the match was called off on Sunday due to rain.
By the time this story was filed, India were batting at 236-2 in 38 overs with KL Rahul (65*) and Virat Kohli (49*) on the wicket.
Earlier today, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf was ruled out of the India-Pakistan clash as a precautionary measure.
"Haris Rauf will not be bowling any further in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India as a precautionary measure. He felt a little discomfort in his right flank during the match yesterday,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a brief statement.
“He was subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI, which revealed no tear. He is under the observation of the team’s medical panel,” it added.
