COLOMBO: Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel on Wednesday said injuries to their premier quicks is a big blow ahead of a must-win Asia Cup match but a “fantastic opportunity” for up-and-coming talent.
Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the team’s final Super Four match — effective semifinal — against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday, with Pakistan Super League star Zaman Khan coming in as replacement.
Naseem and fellow quick Haris Rauf were injured in the team’s previous Super Four clash of the 50-over tournament, a prelude to the upcoming ODI World Cup.
“A big blow, picking up those little niggles, but in this same sort of thing what a fantastic opportunity for the guys coming in,” Morkel told reporters.
“After going down against India, it’s a must-win game for us come tomorrow and I’m quite excited to see the new guys stepping in, to see their character, to see how they respond.”
Zaman flew in from Pakistan and is already a popular name in national cricket after his heroics in this year’s PSL for champions Lahore Qalandars.
The 22-year-old is expected to make his ODI debut in a high-pressure match.
“I’m excited just to work with him, connect with them and build that relationship and help him develop, because he’s a match winner,” Morkel said of the quick who won defended 13 runs of his last over to star in Lahore’s title defense this season.
Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the Pakistan pace attack that rattled India in the Asia Cup group match, which was washed out after just innings.
But Shaheen and company took a hammering in their last meeting with India, who posted 356-2 in a match played across two days due to rain.
Morkel said the 228-run loss to India has been good learning ahead of the 50-over showpiece event where they will meet the arch-rivals on October 14.
“Those are fantastic learnings for us,” said Morkel, who rated Shaheen as “world-class.”
“The more tough situations we can face leading into the World Cup, that’s brilliant. You know, we’re gonna grow from this and then come back stronger.”
Critics have pointed at Pakistan’s lack of quality spinners, a major drawback on turning Sri Lankan wickets, but Morkel insists the slow bowlers remain ready to perform.
The former South African fast bowler, who played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs and 44 T20 matches for his 544 international wickets, has been seen bowling to the Pakistan batsmen in the nets.
Pakistan look to ‘match-winner’ Zaman after Naseem injury blow
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Pakistan look to ‘match-winner’ Zaman after Naseem injury blow
- Pakistan face Sri Lanka on Thursday in a must-win Asia Cup clash in Colombo
- Pacers Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf were injured in Monday’s match against India
Cherki pulls out Haaland celebrations after wonder goal in Man City’s win in the English League Cup
- The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged in a yoga pose
- Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute
MANCHESTER: Rayan Cherki recreated teammate Erling Haaland’s goal celebrations after curling an exquisite shot into the top corner in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Brentford in the English League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The France playmaker pulled out some robot moves and then sat down cross-legged in a yoga pose after giving a much-changed City team a 32nd-minute lead.
With his tricks, skills and wonderful technique, Cherki is already proving a fans’ favorite in his first season in Manchester after moving from Lyon.
In a win over Sunderland this month, he produced a “rabona” cross that was headed in by Phil Foden but left City manager Pep Guardiola urging Cherki to play with “simplicity” like Lionel Messi.
The goal against Brentford was one Messi would have been proud of. Collecting a headed clearance at the edge of the box, Cherki deceived an opponent by switching the ball to his right foot and then whipped a shot into the top corner.
Savinho added a second goal for City in the 67th minute with a shot that was aided by a huge deflection that looped over Brentford goalkeeper Hákon Valdimarsson.
Haaland was named as a substitute for the game, didn’t come on, and was seen shaking the hand of Cherki when the midfielder was replaced in the second half.
City joined Chelsea, which beat third-tier Cardiff City 3-1 on Tuesday, in the semifinals.
Defending champion Newcastle were playing Fulham in a later kickoff on Wednesday. The quarterfinals are wrapped up next week when Arsenal host Crystal Palace.
