Sarfraz Nawaz: “Usama should be the first-choice leg-spinner backed by Abrar. Leg-spin is the most effective weapon in T20 cricket. West Indies wickets are bound to provide assistance to leg spin. Usama’s inclusion is a must for the World Cup”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz believes Usama Mir should be the first-choice leg-spinner in the national team, followed by Abrar Ahmed.
Despite Abrar being classed as a mystery spinner, Nawaz feels Mir has earned the right to be the go-to leg-spinner, especially after his outstanding performance in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In PSL 9, the 28-year-old finished as the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in 12 matches for the Multan Sultans at an average of 15.87 and an economy rate of 8.13.
Nawaz believes leg-spin will play a crucial role in the 2024 T20 World Cup, especially on the pitches in the Caribbean, and thus feels Mir should be part of the squad.
“Usama should be the first-choice leg-spinner backed by Abrar. Leg-spin is the most effective weapon in T20 cricket. West Indies wickets are bound to provide assistance to leg spin. Usama’s inclusion is a must for the World Cup,” he was quoted as saying by The News, according to Geo Super.
Mir was involved in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and took three wickets in two games at an average of 21.33 and an economy rate of eight.
Abrar made his T20I debut in that series and snapped up two wickets in three games at an average of 23 and an economy rate of 5.75.
Both players didn’t play in the three-match T20I series against Ireland, which the men in green won 2-1.
Pakistan are now taking on England in a four-match T20I series against England and trail 1-0 after they lost the second game by 23 runs.
Following this, they will be involved in the T20 World Cup, which will be played in the West Indies and United States of America from June 1 to 29.
Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
[TS_Poll id=”70″]
Sarfraz is right, Usama Mir, under Multan Sultan’s female bowling coach has improved rapidly. He needs to be taken seriously after the WC. Let us hope that Gary Kirsten takes up these issues as currently he can only watch the damage done by the selectors.