Thaindian News

Lahore, Feb 15(ANI): Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has urged the national team to rely heavily on its spinners in the forthcoming World Cup, saying that spin bowlers will play a decisive role in the tournament.

“Already we have seen in the warm-up match between Australia and India how important a role spinners can play in this tournament,” the Daily Times quoted Malik, who was a shock omission from the Pakistan’s World Cup squad, as telling reporters.

The ICC World Cup 2011 is to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

Malik pointed out that the weather at this time of the year in all the three host nations would be hot and humid and the pitches would be generally slow, which would make life difficult for batsmen.

“I would advice the Pakistan captain and coach to go with at least one specialist spinner in every match,” he said.

“The weather in Sri Lanka during the group matches is going to be hot and the pace bowlers will find it hard to bowl long spells. So the spinners come into play,” he explained.

Malik noted that if Pakistan played with at least one specialist spinner, it would help them maintain a quick over-rate as well as give them an opportunity to use the pace bowlers in short spells.

He also felt that the teams with the maximum depth in slow bowling would dominate the World Cup 2011.

“Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are all well equipped in this department so it is going to be an interesting tournament and a battle between the bat and ball,” he added.

Malik acknowledged that he was still disappointed over his exclusion from Pakistan’s squad for the World Cup, but added that he had not given up the hope of playing for his country again.

“As an international cricketer one goes through such phases in life and one has to accept them and learn to stage comebacks,” the former captain said, adding, “I am playing domestic cricket regularly so that no one can say that I have lost touch. I also keep myself fit this way.” (ANI)