Bowlers key to winning World Cup: Shadab

Hyderabad: Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan feels ICC Cricket World Cup winner will be decided by teams with the best bowling units.

“I feel that the team which wins the World Cup their bowling will be really good. Because in these (India) conditions it is difficult to stop the flow of runs and taking wickets due to flat tracks and short boundaries. Whoever bowls well in this tournament they will take home the World Cup,” he told a press conference at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

“We have world-class bowlers and are also performing well. If we continue this momentum we will definitely become champions,” Shadab added.

On Friday, his team had lost their first warm-up match against New Zealand at the same venue as his press conference. Pakistan will next play Australia on Tuesday at the RGICS.

Shadab said the Asia Cup was a bitter experience and that the team had learnt their lessons. “As a team, the Asia Cup was a disappointment. But like everyone we all learn from our mistakes and we don’t want to repeat those again. While playing the World Cup you have to be mentally and physically strong so that we can make right decisions at crucial times,” the 24-year all-rounder said.

Pakistan have already suffered a setback with Naseem Shah being ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

 “The World Cup is a long tournament which is why adjusting to conditions and fitness will be a concern for every team. We don’t want to lose anyone during the tournament,” Shadab said.

“The conditions in India are similar those in Pakistan. In our last match (the warm-up game in Hyderabad), it felt we were playing in Rawalpindi, where we also have the same flat pitch and short boundaries. We are looking forward to learning more about the pitch,” he said.

Asked to name his favourite batsman and bowler in the Indian team, Shadab picked captain Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav respectively.

“I admire Rohit Sharma very much. He is dangerous to face. Once he gets into form it’s very difficult to get him out. Being a left-arm spinner I like Kuldeep Yadav. I know the difficulty of bowling on flat tracks in India. Coming to Kuldeep, he is doing well and he is in good condition for the tournament,” he said.