Ramiz Raja: “I would pick Amir, Shaheen, and Husnain as the trio can thrash England’s batsmen with the new ball”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes that seamers Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain “thrash England’s batsmen with the new ball”.

Ramiz’s comments come ahead of Pakistan’s limited overs series against England, which will consist of a one-off Twenty20 International and five ODIs, and run from May 5 to 19.

Amir was not picked in Pakistan’s World Cup squad last month, but he still has the chance to make the cut as all teams must be finalised by May 23.

Afridi made his international debut last April and has represented Pakistan in all three formats since then.

He has taken 12 wickets in three Tests at an average of 31.41 and 19 wickets in 10 ODIs at an average of 19.36.

As for Twenty20 Internationals, he has claimed 13 wickets in nine games at an average of 19.46.

Hasnain made his international debut during the recent ODI series against Australia, where he took two wickets in three games at an average of 78.

“England at their home ground is so strong and to beat them your bowling attack needs to be potent,” Ramiz was quoted as saying by arysports.tv. “I would pick Amir, Shaheen, and Husnain as the trio can thrash England’s batsmen with the new ball.”

During the limited overs series, Ramiz noted that Pakistan’s bowlers will need to constantly be looking to take wickets.

“In England, taking wickets is very important as it gives you relief as a bowling unit,” he said. “You have to hit hard lengths to get the England batsmen out because they read the situation very quickly.”

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.

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