The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is just a few months away, and many former cricketers are coming up with their predictions for the marquee event. Australia’s veteran opener Matthew Hayden recently picked Pakistan’s key spinner for the 50-over World Cup.
It is noteworthy that Hayden was part of Pakistan’s coaching staff for a brief period of time. The 51-year-old first served as the Men in Green’s batting consultant in the 2021 T20 World Cup and then was appointed the team’s mentor for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
Having seen the Pakistan Cricket team closely, Hayden was asked on a show in Star Sports to pick one Pakistani spinner who he thinks can play a crucial role for the side in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Responding to the question, Hayden chose all-rounder Shadab Khan as Pakistan’s key spinner for the marquee ICC event. The Aussie opener supported his pick by drawing similarities between Shadab and India’s star Ravindra Jadeja.
“Shadab Khan is a fantastic player. He is an individual of absolute quality. Like Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), he is a three-dimensional cricketer,’ said Hayden.
“He is a dangerous hitter with the bat. He has got the variations with the ball and he is also a wonderful fielder, and just one further point around this — you win World Cups by fielding efforts,” he added.
As far as Shadab’s ODI record is concerned, the all-rounder has accumulated a total of 631 runs at a commendable strike rate of 82.05 in 33 One Day International (ODI) innings so far. On the other hand, he has impressed with the ball in the 50-over format as well, taking 73 wickets in 54 ODI innings at a reasonable economy rate of 5.13.
The ICC Cricket World Cup in India will commence from October 5, and Pakistan will start their campaign in the tournament on October 6. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated clash between Men in Green and Men in Blue will take place in Ahmedabad on October 15.
