LAHORE: Former Pakistan opener Yasir Hameed thinks ‘X-factor’ Asif Ali needs to start delivering for Pakistan consistently in the shortest format of the game.
Pakistan and England will take on each other tonight in the series decider at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The seven-match series is currently levelled at 3-3.
England won the sixth T20I courtesy of Phil Salt’s 41-ball 88. Yasir wants Pakistan match-winners to also step up in the series decider tonight.
“You can’t predict a winner in the T20 format. You just have to see how many match-winners you have and how many x-factors do you have in your team,” said Yasir.
“England played Salt consistently because he has is an x-factor for them. He delivered for them in the last game. For us, we have Asif Ali in that role, but he hasn’t delivered consistently for Pakistan. With his current form, he can win us only five matches out of a 100, which is a low percentage. Asif needs to start delivering consistently for Pakistan.”
On the other hand, Yasir believes both batting and bowling can win the match for Pakistan.
“It is going to be a good cricket match. That I can say for sure. But we’ve been delivering both with bat and ball and both are our strength at the moment. So, if both fire on Sunday, the trophy is ours.”
Yasir thinks the team management needs to help batters overcome their demons. “Shan Masood hasn’t yet delivered as expected. I hope Shan can make a comeback because he has a lot of talent.”
“Khushdil Shah takes four to five balls to settle. He can only then start hitting big. Haider Ali has been suffering from lack of self-confidence. They both should talk to Rizwan. Rizwan proved with his consistency that he deserves the number one spot in T20Is. So if Moeen Ali is telling England batters to learn to stay on the crease from Rizwan, then why can’t our players learn from him too,” he added.
