Pak should rely on seamers, says Sarfraz

RAWALPINDI—Former reverse-swing king Sarfraz Nawaz has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board to rely on seamers to tame England in the upcoming Test series. Talking with reporters on Tuesday, Sarfraz Nawaz emphasised that dependence on spinners like Mushtaq Ahmed might backfire on Pakistan who could be best served by Shoaib Akhter provided the maverick fast bowler remains fit during the three Tests.
He pointed out that England struggled against bowlers like Yasir Arafat and Muhammad Irshad who made best use of reverse-swing in the ongoing three-day warmup match at Pindi Cricket Stadium. He opined the recall of leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 80 wickets for Sussex in the recently concluded English county season, might not prove useful. “It’s no big deal to get wickets in the county season,” said Sarfraz who captured 177 wickets in 55 Tests.
“He bowls too slow in the air and he has lost the bite off the wicket. It gives batsmen enough time to make an adjustment,” he said. Sarfraz said should Shoaib remain fit, he is a genuine match-winner.”I think he could trouble the English batsmen more”.
He said he had also changed his opinion about England having better chance of winning in Pakistan after the pullout through injury of Simon Jones who used the art of reverse-swing with devastating effect by taking 18 wickets in 2-1 Ashes win over Australia. “Without Jones, England’s attack is half strength because he was the man who made best use of reverse swing in the Ashes,” said Sarfraz.—APP