{"id":9793,"date":"2023-10-01T20:19:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T20:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/shadab-khan-says-team-with-best-bowlers-will-win-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2023-10-01T20:19:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T20:19:04","slug":"shadab-khan-says-team-with-best-bowlers-will-win-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/shadab-khan-says-team-with-best-bowlers-will-win-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Shadab Khan says ‘team with best bowlers’ will win World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HYDERABAD: Pakistan\u2019s spin bowling all-rounder Shadab Khan on Sunday said the team with the strongest bowling unit, capable of stemming the runs on India\u2019s batting-friendly pitches will win the World Cup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 24-year-old is leading Pakistan\u2019s spin attack that has come under severe criticism for not taking wickets in the middle overs.<\/p>\n

Shadab Khan himself managed just six wickets in five Asia Cup games last month with four coming against outsiders Nepal in a tournament where Pakistan crashed out in Super Four stage.<\/p>\n

But Shadab hoped Pakistan\u2019s bowling can stage a comeback at the World Cup which gets underway on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the team that has the best bowling will win the World Cup because the pitches will produce high totals,\u201d Shadab told a news conference.<\/p>\n

Pakistan suffered a five-wicket loss to New Zealand in their first warm-up match of the tournament on Friday.<\/p>\n

They face Australia in their second warm-up game \u2014 also in Hyderabad \u2014 on Tuesday before opening their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands at the same venue three days later.<\/p>\n

Despite losing frontline pacer Naseem Shah to a shoulder injury, Shadab insists Pakistan still boast a world class attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course Naseem will be missed, but our bowlers are world class so if we perform well in bowling then we can achieve the best results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leg-break bowler Shadab, who has 88 wickets from 64 ODI matches, vowed to lift his own game in the seven-week World Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe there was a mental barrier and I think that will not be there now because of the rest I have had. The past is past and when the World Cup matches come I will be playing with a fresh mindset.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shadab also backed out-of-form Fakhar Zaman who was not asked to bat in Friday\u2019s warm-up game.<\/p>\n

\u201cFakhar is an impact player, we all know that,\u201d said Shadab of the left-hander who managed just 65 runs in four Asia Cup innings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have given him mental space and we need to back an impact player like him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shadab also said the players were overwhelmed by the hospitality since their arrival in Hyderabad under tight security on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a superb welcome. People coming to the hotel and their hospitality has been fantastic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe food is delicious. I fear our fat levels and weight will go over the limit!\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cHopefully, we get the same hospitality in Ahmedabad when we play India,\u201d said Shadab of Pakistan\u2019s high-voltage game against their arch-rivals on October 14.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n