Former Indian speedster Zaheer Khan has praised veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik after he smashed a crucial 20-ball 26* against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup and took the team to the finish line as well.
However, Pakistan was struggling at 87/5 after 14.5 overs while chasing 135 runs when Shoaib Malik joined Asif Ali at the crease. They added 48 runs for the sixth wicket and helped the team reach the target in the 19th over. While speaking on Cricbuzz Live Hindi, Zaheer Khan shared how Shoaib Malik proved to recall him to the T20I squad was correct as well.
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“Fans often ask why are senior players like Shoaib Malik still playing. They are here for this reason only. They know how to absorb pressure in situations like these. They will not be impatient, and in pressure situations, patience is the most important thing. I think Shoaib Malik was a last-minute addition to the squad. He proved the selectors right today,” said Zaheer Khan.
Notably, Shoaib Malik was not initially added to the Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2021, but came in as an injury replacement for Sohaib Maqsood and once again showed his class. During the show, Zaheer Khan also applauded Pakistan captain Babar Azam after they won in their first two games of the T20 World Cup 2021 as well.
“Babar Azam is calm and composed. In the past, we used to say Pakistan is an unpredictable team, but I think Babar is showing a new direction to Pakistan cricket now,” Zaheer Khan added.
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Ashish Nehra, on the other hand, said that the Blackcaps missed their key pacer Lockie Ferguson in the death overs against Pakistan. Nehra applauded Tim Southee for his stunning bowling in the powerplay but also added that Ferguson was a better death bowler as well. However, Adam Milne has replaced Ferguson in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad.
“Tim Southee conceded two sixes in the death overs, but he bowled really well in the powerplay. You can say in hindsight that New Zealand missed Lockie Ferguson, but again, you cannot deny that he is the better bowler when it comes to bowling in the final overs. He has the yorker and has more pace than Southee,” Ashish Nehra shared.
