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'You Need Bowlers Who Give You Wickets': Wahab Riaz Against Playing Shadab & Nawaz 

image-lnr5z45wShadab Khan hasn't delivered the goods for Pakistan (AP Photo)

After Pakistan’s thumping seven-wicket defeat to India in the World Cup 2023 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, former pacer Wahab Riaz has suggested some strategic changes to the team's lineup.


Wahab Riaz recommends bowling changes for Pakistan after loss vs India

Currently sitting fourth in the table, Riaz urged Pakistan to reassess their player combinations ahead of their critical match against Australia on October 20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Riaz, who bid adieu to international cricket in August, expressed concerns over the team’s obsession with all-rounders and called for a reevaluation of the playing eleven. He highlighted the inefficacy of playing Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz together in One Day Internationals (ODIs), stressing the need for wicket-taking bowlers during the middle overs.

According to Riaz, Usama Mir's inclusion could be pivotal in strengthening Pakistan’s bowling attack. He was adamant that relying heavily on all-rounders is not the way forward, especially when competing in a high-stake tournament like the World Cup.

“Shadab and Nawaz should not play together for Pakistan. I would rather have Usama Mir in place of either of those two. Pakistan have been obsessed with all-rounders, but we haven’t been able to understand who our strike bowler is if pacers don’t deliver. You need to have bowlers who give you wickets,” said Riaz on PAK Skills.



In his critique, Riaz suggested that it’s crucial for Pakistan to identify their primary strike bowler in situations where the pacers are unable to make early breakthroughs. He expressed this sentiment in the aftermath of Pakistan's inability to bowl out the opposition, except for the Netherlands.

The erstwhile pacer also highlighted the importance of dismissing the opposition to have a fighting chance in matches where teams are expected to post totals in the region of 300 to 350 runs. He cautioned that a lack of wicket-taking bowlers could result in Pakistan being underestimated by other teams.

“If you have to win the World Cup in India, you have to bowl the opposition out. And we have not done that apart from the Netherlands. This is where we have to understand that other teams will take us for granted. Scores will be around 300 to 350, but you can think of restricting the opposition if you pick up wickets,” added the former southpaw.