ISLAMABAD: Pakistan chief selector and former captain Rashid Latif has said Pakistan should rely more on pace bowlers instead of spinners when they face India in their World Twenty20 match, if they are to break the jinx of defeats in major tournaments.
Pakistan play India on March 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka.
The green-shirts have never beaten India in a World Cup or World Twenty20 match.
Talking to a news channel, Rashid said Pakistan should look to build the T20 team on specialist players.
“Everyone can play any format of the game but we have to select players for our T20 team who are specialists of T20 cricket,” he said.“By now, Pakistan should have known Indian team’s combination,” he said.
“I will either go for Sohail Tanvir or Bilawal Bhatti in place of Junaid Khan to boost batting options,” he said.
Rashid said Mohammad Talha should be played against India as he did a great job against them in the Asia Cup.
“There is no point in trying Zulfiqar Babar against India as we already have a lot of options in the spin department,” he said.
Former Test express bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has said Pakistan should try the same team in their next warm-up match against South Africa on Wednesday with which they want to play against India.
He added Shahid Afridi’s 100 per cent fitness was necessary in the match against India.
“The team management should ensure Afridi’s complete fitness before the match,” he said.
He said Mohammad Talha should be rested in the match against India as Junaid Khan and Umar Gul were better options.
“Talha has been out of rhythm and we cannot make a single mistake which can cost us the match,” he said.
Sarfraz felt Kamran Akmal should be given a chance to keep wickets as Umar should concentrate only on his batting. He added that Kamran should also be sent to open the innings with Ahmed Shahzad while Sharjeel Khan must be rested.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said: “Pakistan should have proper plan in place when they face India. We should only look to play attackingly against them.”—APP
