PHOTO: AFP
Former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan feels veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik was given a go in the Tests because of Hafeez’s inability to bowl after he was banned by the International Cricket Council.
“It is an excellent choice considering the fact that Hafeez can’t bowl in Test match cricket,” said Bazid, while talking to ESPNcricinfo.
“The off-spin will give you another option and right now he is in the form of his life; he is playing brilliant cricket. And on surfaces such as UAE he loves it as a batsman. There is low bounce. He loves to play against spinner. The only problem he has is against a good pace attack.”
Read: Shoaib Malik included in Test squad against England
Bazid thought Malik has under-bowled in his comeback and should have been given an opportunity to dust off his bowling skills.
PHOTO: AFP“He is a good choice, experienced person, a good fielder and he can provide you with off-spin. I think he has been under-bowled even in his comeback. He doesn’t bowl enough for my liking. It will be interesting to see who plays in that top-six because the battle looks very stable, but he has that added edge because Hafeez can’t bowl in Tests,” opined Bazid.
Bazid also pointed out Malik’s weaknesses saying that he was lethal against spin and in subcontinent conditions but when overseas, he would stutter in his batting.
“He struggles in overseas conditions. He is very good in the subcontinent where there is not a lot of bounce. He was struggling in England and in West Indies. But at home and against spin he is very beneficial and down the order at number five or six, he is very useful. And if he can get his bowling right, which he is going to do a lot now, he can be asset for Pakistan in the UAE.”
PHOTO: AFPMalik has played 32 Test for Pakistan and averages 33.45 with the highest score unbeaten 148 against Sri Lanka at Colombo in March 2006. He has scored two tons and eight half-tons in whites.
With the ball, in Tests, he has accounted for 21 batsmen in 32 matches.
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