Ramiz Raja: “I feel he should not bowl the same way repeatedly, he must use more googlies and chinaman variations, otherwise, he becomes predictable”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Ex-Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has warned spinner Sufiyan Muqeem not to become predictable when bowling.
Ramiz sees a lot of potential in the 25-year-old and praised his line and length.
However, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman feels Muqeem still has a lot to learn, especially when it comes to using more of the variations he possesses.
“Sufiyan Muqeem is a wrist-spinner who is often given the final overs. He is young and still learning. His length and line are fine, but he needs to work on his spin. I feel he should not bowl the same way repeatedly, he must use more googlies and chinaman variations, otherwise, he becomes predictable,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Geo Super.
Muqeem recently featured in Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies and took three wickets in three T20Is at an average of 19.66 and an economy rate of 4.91.
In the three-match ODI series that followed, he claimed one wicket in one game at an average of 52.
Pakistan then took on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan in a T20I tri-series in Sharjah, which they won.
Muqeem played four matches and finished with four wickets at an average of 27.75 and an economy rate of 8.02.
The men in green are now involved in the 2025 Asia Cup, which is taking place in the UAE.
So far, Muqeem has picked up two wickets in two games at an average of 18 and an economy rate of 6.17.
Pakistan beat Oman and the UAE in the group stage, while also losing to India.
They suffered another loss to India in the Super Four stage before bouncing back to take down Sri Lanka.
Next up for the men in green will be a clash against Bangladesh on September 25 in Dubai.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem