Kamran Akmal: “Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali must be in the starting line-up”

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Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has revealed that the national team must pick all-rounder Shoaib Malik and big-hitting batsman Asif Ali for their World Cup match against England on Monday.

Akmal’s comments come after Pakistan opted to leave Malik and Asif out of their playing XI for their World Cup opener against the West Indies.

In that match, Pakistan were skittled out for 105 after being put in to bat first and the West Indies proceeded to win the match by seven wickets with 218 balls to spare.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam were the top scorers as they both made 22 runs, while Wahab Riaz chipped in with a quickfire 18 at the end.

Mohammad Hafeez was the only other batsman to reach double figures as he made 16.

“Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali must be in the starting line-up, while if Sarfraz wants to have Hafeez, he should be promoted [up] the batting order,” Akmal told The Nation. “I suggest Pakistan should drop one spinner for today’s match against England and use either Hafeez or Malik as a fifth bowler.

“Hafeez is capable enough of bowling the full quota of overs. He is a match-winner and can turn the tables with his magical deliveries, while Malik is experienced and tailor-made for such difficult situations.”

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