Ramiz Raja: “Asif provides the Pakistani batting line-up with aggression and power hitting, and this is what Pakistan needs in the fifth and sixth slot”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes that big-hitting batsman Asif Ali could be highly beneficial for the national team at the World Cup.

Asif was not included in Pakistan’s World Cup squad when it was announced last month.

Asif had a solid campaign at the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he accumulated 281 runs in 12 games for Islamabad United, which included two half-centuries, at an average of 35.12 and an incredible strike-rate of 182.46.

In the second ODI against England on Saturday, he walloped a 36-ball 51.

However, Asif still has a chance of making it into the World Cup team as Pakistan are allowed to make changes to their side without permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC) until May 23.

“There is a lot of undue pressure created on Asif by not selecting him. However, he showcased his hitting talent and batted really well because Asif is [under] a lot of pressure as every match for him is a trial match,” Ramiz was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “Asif provides the Pakistani batting line-up with aggression and power hitting, and this is what Pakistan needs in the fifth and sixth slot.”

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

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