Pakistan can win Red Bull final: Shahzaib

Emerging UoK leg-spinner says team chemistry is strong for cricket event.

KARACHI:

Fast-rising leg-spinner Shahzaib Ahmed Khan, who will be representing University of Karachi (UoK), is confident that Pakistan can become champions of the upcoming Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals to be played in England.

Pakistan had finished runners-up to India in the last edition of the event, which was played in Sri Lanka. However, Shahzaib feels that this time around they are better prepared as the team has got time to gel well and understand its strength and weaknesses.

“As Red Bull Campus Cricket evolves, teams are preparing well and taking it seriously,” Shahzaib told The Express Tribune.

“Last time around we didn’t have much time to prepare but still made it to the finals. This time, we had time to gel nicely when regional rounds were underway.

“We got the time to practice together before heading to England as well, which is why I feel that our chances of winning are high.”

The 22-year-old has represented Pakistan U19 as well, and has been touted the next big leg-spinner in Pakistan cricket who can go onto replace the likes of Danish Kaneria and Shahid Afridi.

He possessed a wide range of trickery up his sleeves having a googly, flipper and many other variations that make him a top-class spinner and a trump card for UoK.

When asked who will be his team’s match winners and their most formidable competitors, Shahzaib replied, “Our match winners in batting will be Haris Ali Khan and Saad Ali, while bowling will depend on me, Ahsan Mirza and Mir Hamza. As far as our competitors are concerned, we’ll be targeting India.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2014.

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