RAWALPINDI-Former Test cricketer Naveed Qureshi has suggested that Pakistan team must enter the third Test with five regular bowlers with aggressive approach.

In an interview with The Nation, Naveed said: “Pakistan must enter the third Test with five regular bowlers as they have to bowl England out cheaply and then score enough runs on the board to put England under pressure. Pakistan must enter with three pacers and two spinners, both Yasir and Zulfiqar should play, as they are bound to make impact,” Naveed concluded.

Naveed has made his debut against Zimbabwe at the historic Gaddafi Stadium Lahore in 1998. He said: “Rawalpindi has produced a great number of quality cricketers in bowling, batting and wicket-keeping, but the region doesn’t get its due share when it comes to representing the national team. Anyhow, I have played more than 150 first class matches and scored 15 tons and 40 plus half centuries. Had provided with fair chances, I could have made history for Rawalpindi, but it is part of the game and I have no regrets. Being a former Test player, it is my responsibility to suggest what I feel better for national team.”

Naveed, who had played only two Tests for Pakistan just because of powerful mafia that exists in PCB, expressed these views during an exclusive interview with The Nation. He said: “After winning the first Test at the Lord’s, changes were imminent and anybody, who had a little bit knowledge about cricket, would have known that the Old Trafford pitch traditionally supports bowlers, as the bowl keeps a bit low and simple technique of bowling within the stumps was required, which English bowlers duly apply, while Pakistani bowlers were all over the place.”

He said the Old Trafford pitch was best suited to Imran Khan Senior, who not only can swing the ball, but can also get much-needed help from the air as well. If I were the head coach, I would have picked Zulfiqar Babar to bowl alongside Yasir Shah, as two spinners could have given edge to Pakistani bowling line up. Yasir failed to produce same magic, which he had done at the Lord’s, because he was bowling too faster deliveries and was not giving air to the balls, which was need of the hour. Yasir could have grabbed enough wickets, had he relied on cutting down the pace and given more flight. Similarly, fast bowlers were bowling at both sides of the wicket and wasted precious deliveries. Had they bowled within the stumps and put batsmen under pressure, they could have been more successful.”

When asked about M Aamir, he said: “I have very little doubts about Aamir, who is a class act and working very hard to get back into rhythm. He is taking extra pain and pressure just to be amongst the wickets, but so far he is yet to get enough wickets under his belt. But I am sure, Aamir will soon bounce back and help the team in registering crucial victories. It is only matter of time, Edgbaston is traditionally bowling friendly track and it will be ideal platform for Aamir to regain his confidence.”

“In my personal view, Asad Shafiq is technically sound batsman and he should come up the order, while Azhar Ali should open the innings. Shan Masood have played two Tests and failed to score, so it is ideal time to give chance to Sami Aslam, who is young, energetic and hungry to do well, so he should be given a go,” he added.