KARACHI: Pakistan’s young cricket team led by skipper Sarfraz Ahmed have the potential and the ability to beat Ireland in their debut Test at Dublin on Friday and leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan could well prove to be a match-winner in the match.

This was stated by former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu here while speaking to the media.

Expressing satisfaction at Pakistan’s preparation for the Test that included a fine victory over Northamptonshire this week, Sallu said: “After the washout against Kent, our players got some great batting and bowling practice against Northants and won the match by a handsome margin.”

“I strongly feel that Haris Sohail, who batted superbly in the warm-up with a half century in each innings, alongwith century maker Asad Shafiq, Baber Azam and Sarfraz will form a good middle-order which can hold its own against Ireland bowlers in the Test.”

Commenting on the opening pair, Sallu said though Azhar Ali has not had a decent score in the warm-ups, he has an impressive overseas record and enough experience under his belt to raise his game in the Test matches.

“As for the other opener, I think Imam-ul-Haq, who scored back to back fifties in the two warm-up games, could be preferred over Sami Aslam who has looked a bit off colour with the bat so far,” he said.

Sallu also pointed out that young leggie Shadab could prove to be match-winner in the Test matches in Ireland and England because right-arm leg spinners have always been successful in those conditions. “I have said this before also that all the ‘lands’ - England, Scotland, Ireland and even New Zealand — have a poor record against right-arm leg spinners and are not used to playing them,” observed Sallu.

“New Zealand had Daniel Vettori while England produced Derek Underwood, and recently Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, but all of them were finger spinners and not wrist spinners.

“So Shadab, who captured ten wickets at Northampton, can be deadly against both Ireland and England. The lad has improved in leaps and bounds and is now a fine all-rounder which is a big advantage for Pakistan.”

In bowling, Sallu said both Rahat Ali and Mohammad Abbas could be handful for the host team with their away and inswinging deliveries respectively. “Abbas is bowling well and so is Rahat. I feel that these two could prove more effective compared to Mohammad Amir who has struggled a bit with his form and has gone wicketless in the last warm-up.”

Analyzing the Irish Test squad, Sallu said their captain William Porterfield, due to his experience, could pose problems for Pakistan and is likely to fully exploit the home conditions.

“Besides Porterfield, Ireland also have in its ranks the two vastly experienced O’Brian brothers, Kevin and Neil, who played a key roles in Pakistan’s shock first round ouster from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies,” he reminded.

“Ed Joyce is another player to look out for while Boyd Rankin, who also played a Test for England in the 2013-14 Ashes series, is also a crucial member of Ireland squad.”

In the end, Sallu expressed confidence that the Pakistan team will do well in the Dublin Test and will emerge victorious if the inclement weather does not interfere a great deal.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2018