Tanvir Ahmed: “The likes of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali thrive in such conditions, but it doesn’t prepare them for international challenges. These spinners don’t have the ability to perform on tracks with less assistance”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanvir Ahmed has taken aim at spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, saying they can’t do well on pitches that offer less assistance.
He noted that the duo have only been successful in Pakistan, where the pitches offer immense turn and bounce.
During the recent two-Test series against the West Indies, Noman claimed 16 wickets, which included two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 12.62.
As for Sajid, he finished with 15 wickets, which included a five-for, at an average of 17.
Prior to this, Sajid was not picked for Pakistan’s two-Test series in South Africa, while Noman was included in the squad, but wasn’t part of the playing XI for both matches.
Tanvir pointed out that Pakistan have to stop relying on such spin-friendly pitches as their spinners won’t be anywhere near as effective when they go overseas since the conditions will likely be very different.
“Our first-class cricket starts on worn-out pitches where spinners bowl from the first over, leaving no opportunities for fast bowlers to develop. The likes of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali thrive in such conditions, but it doesn’t prepare them for international challenges,” he said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“These spinners don’t have the ability to perform on tracks with less assistance.”
Both Noman and Sajid weren’t picked for Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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