Raja pins hopes on Shinwari and Shadab for ODI series

akistan former captain turn cricket commentator, Ramiz Raja has pinned his hopes on youngsters Usman Khan Shinwari and Shadab Khan, as Pakistan play South Africa in the One Day Internationals (ODI).

“I am highly optimistic with the inclusion of Usman Shinwari, as he was pretty impressive in the Big Bash League (BBL), exhibiting both pace and variety. Then I am looking forward to Shadab Khan, as he is just a different bowler in the ODIs compared to Tests, and he is also capable with the bat. I expect that South Africa will not be able to read Shadab’s googly,” said Raja, at Ramiz Speaks.

The former captain was of the view that top order batsman Babar Azam, would also give South Africa a 'tough time with the bat.'

The tourists were mauled in a recent Test series, facing a humiliating 3-0 whitewash against the Proteas. They will play the first of five one-day internationals at St George’s Park on Saturday.

Squads:

Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wkt), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Khan

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Fixtures:

January 19, Port Elizabeth

January 22, Durban

January 25, Centurion

January 27, Johannesburg

January 30, Cape Town