Saeed Ajmal praises ‘solid bowler’ Shadab Khan

Off-spinner believes leggie will be key in remaining Pakistan-Sri Lanka ODIs

KARACHI: Pakistan went 2-0 up on Monday in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka all thanks to Babar Azam’s second consecutive century and a great all-round performance by Shadab Khan, and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal believes the latter will be key in the remaining 50-over contests.

Pakistan’s batting top-order toppled against Sri Lankan pacers but Babar (101), who put up a 109-run partnership with Shadab (52 not out), took a solid stand for the team and pushed them to 219-9.

Later, Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga stayed unbeaten on 112 as he saw the whole team fall for a total score of 187 in 48 overs, losing by 32 runs.

Shadab was the chief destroyer with three wickets in nine overs. Meanwhile, five other bowlers bagged one wicket apiece, while Sri Lanka saw two run outs at the end of the innings.

“Shadab is a real asset for the team,” Ajmal told The Express Tribune. “He has performed with the ball whenever the team needs him, which approves his credentials as a solid bowler. Spinners are meant to provide the team with breakthroughs when the pacers are unable to take wickets, and if you can do that as a spinner, you are surely a solid bowler.”

Ajmal added that the 19-year-old leggie will grow to become country’s top spinner if he continues like this.

“He has just turned 19 and made his team win in a critical situation, which is a big achievement for him,” he said. “I am sure he will be the key blower in the remaining ODIs. He not only bowled well, but also scored runs for the team which makes him an all-round performer.”

Babar is a class apart: Sallu

Babar on Monday became the first batsman to score five consecutive centuries on a single venue, the UAE, and former chief selector Sallahuddin Sallu believes he has become a dependable batsman for Pakistan.

“Babar is class apart. He is a player who had saved Pakistan from disasters by scoring centuries in both ODIs,” said Sallu. “All other batsmen failed to score runs for the team which is not a good sign for the team.”

Sallu was critical of Pakistan batsmen and said gifting wickets to Sri Lanka bowlers won’t help. “Being dismissed for a low total is not a good sign for a team like Pakistan who have more star power. The batsmen are not doing their job properly except a few. Sri Lanka are not a strong team right now and losing wickets to them so easily is shameful,” Sallu told The Express Tribune.