Daily Times

LAHORE: Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq on Wednesday said that leg-spinner Shadab Khan will play a crucial role in Emirati conditions during the Asia Cup 2018.

Speaking to the media at a university event, Inzamam said that slow pitches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will favour the slower bowlers and that Shadab will be vital for the team during the upcoming Asia cup tournament.

He added that openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq and middle-order batsman Babar Azam were in tremendous form and match-winning performances can be expected of them.

Inzamam said that the squad for the tournament was balanced in all departments e.g. batting, bowling and fielding and that the biggest strength of the team was its unity and discipline.

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To a question regarding replacement for if a player gets injured during the tournament, Inzamam said: “God forbid if that happens. But we have the A team playing in the UAE and replacements won’t be a problem.”

Asia Cup 2018 will start on Saturday as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh face-off in the opening match on the tournament.

Pakistan will kick-start its campaign against minnows HongKong, but all eyes are on the Pak-India clash which will take place next Tuesday (September 18).