Pakistan will open their innings in Sunday’s World Cup match against India with Younis Khan in an attempt to accommodate leg-spinner Yasir Shah, and also include talented youngsters Umar Akmal and Sohaib Maqsood in the final eleven.
The team is hard pressed for the right combination following Mohammad Hafeez’s suspension for illegal bowling action, as the spinner played as a two-in-one. It forced Pakistan to play Haris Sohail as bowler. But, with four regular bowlers, they felt the bowling was weak. It resulted in New Zealand beating them in both the One-Day Internationals they played before the World Cup.
- World Cup: Complete Coverage
Hafeez's injury has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they would not have dropped him. But not being able to play the spinner disturbed Pakistan's combination.
It was also tough for them to drop Younis because of his stature, but the team management has decided that if the senior pro doesn't score big against India they will be forced to bring in Nasir Jamshed in his place.
Wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed was also failing and even using him as opener did not work out.
"The game against India is crucial so we have to think out of the box and that is why we have planned to open with Younis. Umar Akmal and Sohaib (Maqsood) will both play, while Umar will keep wickets," said a highly-placed source in the Pakistan camp.
This allows Pakistan to attack India's strong batting line-up with five regular bowlers.
The plan is to attack with two aggressive bowlers in Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Khan. That will be followed by left-armer Wahab Riaz, who, with a five-wicket haul in the Mohali semi-final four years ago, can have a psychological effect on the Indians.
Yasir Shah will be an unknown commodity for India. Despite the fact that Indian batsmen play spinners well there is a chance that his round arm action and bounce off the pitch can surprise the opponent.
Pakistan's expected line-up: Misbah-ul Haq, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Khan.
Apostrophe Content And Entertainment
