Pakistan might have to be a little smart, should pick Usama Mir over Shadab Khan: Mark Butcher

Usama Mir, who made his ODI debut earlier in 2023, has been sensational in white-ball cricket in the recent past. During New Zealand’s trip to Pakistan in April, the spinner proved his worth and courtesy of the same, he was part of the squad during the Asia Cup. However, the team management didn’t trust his abilities in the marquee tournament, as Shadab Khan was picked ahead of him.

Meanwhile, former cricketer Mark Butcher doesn’t want Pakistan to repeat the same mistake. The 51-year-old believes that Usama Mir is the player that the team management should trust, as he has been incredible throughout the summer. Butcher mentioned that Shadab has not been at his absolute best and has lost his bite, and hence, he would prefer Mir to partner with Mohammad Nawaz if Pakistan decide to double up on spin in the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is slated to begin on October 5.

“Usama Mir is the guy for them. Watching him during the PSL in February and March, and then he had a really good Hundred for the Manchester Originals with the bat and with the ball. Shadab’s been bowling kind of hit-me’s (deliveries) for a long, long time now. Really just lost all of his bite and it just seems to go out of the park every time he lets it go.

“I think they might have to be a little smart here. I’d play Mohammad Nawaz here with Usama Mir, if they are going to go with double spin,” Butcher told Wisden. 

Notably, Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The Babar Azam-led side lost to New Zealand in their first warm-up game, and in the second match against Australia, while Mir picked up two wickets, giving away 31 runs in five overs, Shadab picked up one wicket, giving away 69 runs in 10 overs and with the bat, he scored only nine runs.