Mushtaq Ahmed: “Pakistan’s bowling really struggled against England, hence the inclusion of Amir and Wahab can strengthen their bowling attack”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Legendary Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed was glad that left-arm seamers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were included in the World Cup squad.

Amir was left out of Pakistan’s World Cup team when it was announced last month.

The 27-year-old has been in dismal form since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in June 2017 as he has taken five wickets in 15 matches at an average of 92.60.

As for Wahab, who has not played ODI cricket since the Champions Trophy in 2017, he was initially not included in the list of 23 probables for the World Cup, but was the third-highest wicket-taker in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) with 17 wickets in 13 games for the Peshawar Zalmi at an average of 19.88.

Despite this, he was included in the finalised World Cup squad due to “his ability to reverse swing the ball”, according to chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Mushtaq feels it was the right move to include both players in the side as they will bolster Pakistan’s bowling attack.

“Pakistan’s bowling really struggled against England, hence the inclusion of Amir and Wahab can strengthen their bowling attack,” Mushtaq was quoted as saying by cricketpakistan.com.pk.

Pakistan will play two World Cup warm-up games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Bristol and Cardiff on May 24 and 26 respectively.

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

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