Wahab Riaz may replace Umar Gul against Canada
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has been hugely disappointed by Umar Gul's performance so far in the World Cup.Although Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka convincingly in Colombo on Saturday but all is not well according to Wasim Akram. The bowlers needs to do a lot more feels the former captain.
Wasim Akram who is very close to the Pakistan team management in Sri Lanka said that the disappointing performance by pacer Umar Gul against Lanka is a cause for concern. Wasim indicated that Wahab Riaz may get a look in in Pakistan’s next game against Canada on March 3.
“Gul did not bowl a single slower ball in the entire spell. He is an experienced and a feared bowler. Variation in bowling is a must, otherwise one will get hammered on a flat wicket,” Wasim said.
“Gul is Pakistan’s main bowler but now the team is contemplating whether to include Riaz in his place for the next match. Gul has to learn quickly how to bowl on such flat tracks or bring variation in his bowling,” added Wasim.
“Gul is Pakistan’s main bowler but now the team is contemplating whether to include Riaz in his place for the next match. Gul has to learn quickly how to bowl on such flat tracks or bring variation in his bowling,” added Wasim.
Wasim also said that at the moment Pakistan have no other option then to open the bowling with Abdul Razzaq.
“They have no option. Gul got hammered and he struggled to control the new ball. Also, they cannot drop (Abdul) Razzaq for his additional batting abilities. Plus, I was impressed with Razzaq as he bowled quite well with the new ball, regularly clocking around 130 km/hr,” said Wasim.
Wasim also lauded captain Shahid Afridi for bringing on Shoaib Akhtar when, the pillar of Lankan batting, Mahela Jayawardene was at the crease.
“He brought in Akhtar for a few overs when Jayawardene, Lanka’s main player, was batting. Akhtar took his wicket and that was extremely important for Pakistan. Had Jayawardene stayed on, he would have taken the match away. That was mature captaincy from Afridi.”
