Naseem Shah reacts to Aaqib Javed rating Zaman Khan higher

Young Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah reacted to former Test cricketer Aaqib Javed’s statement, who rated Zaman Khan higher than him in terms of their white-ball cricket skills.

Naseem Shah, in an interview with a local news outlet, was asked to offer his thoughts on Aaqib Javed’s recent statement regarding him and Zaman.

The right-arm pacer, in response, humbly stated that he never claimed that he is better than any bowler and his primary focus is to become a good bowler despite comparing himself with others.

“Have I ever said that I am a good bowler or am I better than someone?” Naseem said while talking to a local YouTube channel.

“Look, everyone is better than me, I have never put an emphasis that I have to become better in comparison to others, I have always tried to win matches for my side and get wickets for my side. I have always tried to become a better bowler instead of comparing myself to others,” he added.

While talking to the media in Lahore, last week, Aaqib Javed claimed that Zaman Khan’s skill to bowl in the final phase of the innings is second to none, and he is one of the best death-overs specialist bowlers in the world right now.

“In white-ball, I still believe Zaman Khan’s skills are above all. We have recently seen him in the Canada league, no bowler is near to him when it comes to bowling in death overs,” he said.

Aaqib Javed then rated Zaman higher than Naseem Shah, who is the first-choice bowler for Pakistan in white-ball cricket.

“I rate him more than even Naseem. Your first three choices in white-ball cricket must be Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman, you can then go down to Naseem Shah,” he added.

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Aaqib Javed rates Zaman Khan over Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket

Former test cricketer Aaqib Javed has rated Zaman Khan ‘higher than’ Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket, voicing his displeasure over the former missing out on a spot in Pakistan’s squad for the series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup.

Aaqib Javed, while talking to media in Lahore on Wednesday, claimed that Zaman Khan’s skill to bowl in the final phase of the innings is second to none, and he is one of the best death-overs specialist bowlers in the world right now.

“In white-ball, I still believe Zaman Khan’s skills are above all. We have recently seen him in the Canada league, no bowler is near to him when it comes to bowling in death overs,” he said.

Aaqib Javed then rated Zaman higher than Naseem Shah, who is the first-choice bowler for Pakistan in white-ball cricket.

“I rate him more than even Naseem. Your first three choices in white-ball cricket must be Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman, you can then go down to Naseem Shah,” he added.

Aaqib Javed then humorously acknowledged the fact that the trio he named belongs to Lahore Qalandars, the PSL team Aaqib is associated with as the director and head Coach.

“You’ll say that I’m only rooting for the bowlers from Lahore Qalandars [laughs]. But Shaheen, Haris and Zaman, they should be your bowlers in white-ball cricket” he added.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, announced the squads on Wednesday in a press conference. Responding to a question about the exclusion of Zaman Khan, the former captain said, “Zaman Khan has done well with the white ball but he lacks experience in 50-over games,”

He further added, “He does have the potential as we have seen in T20 games where he has performed well. So he will become a good asset for Pakistan if he plays more first-class games.”

Zaman Khan, recently played for Toronto Nationals in the recently concluded GT20 Canada, where he picked up seven wickets, while Naseem Shah, playing for Colombo Strikers is the joint-leading wicket-taker with eight wickets in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL).

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‘Focus on rotation of strike in ODIs’ Aaqib Javed advises struggling Rizwan

KARACHI: Former Pakistani fast-bowler and 1992 World Cup winner Aaqib Javed advised the wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan to focus on the rotation of strike, who is struggling to get going in the ODI cricket.

The ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Year 2021, who has been in quite a sublime form in the T20I and Test cricket, is going through a rough patch in the 50-overs format.

Following his dismal performance in the ODI cricket for the past two years, the former pacer showed concern and also backed the wicket-keeper batter by claiming that the latter has all the skills to play ODI cricket.

“Mohammad Rizwan has all the skills to play the ODI format but perhaps he looks in a hurry in the ODI cricket,” Aaqib said.

Aaqib further advised Rizwan to work on his temperament and start focusing on the rotation of the strike.

“There is no technical problem with Rizwan’s game in ODIs but he should focus on rotating the strike and show temperament on the crease which will bring success to him in the format,” Aqib added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Rizwan could only manage to score 277 runs at an average of 19.78 in 14 matches since 2020, having scored two half-centuries in the same span.

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