A few days ago, Imad Wasim announced his surprise retirement from international cricket. This decision caught many off guard, especially considering his consistent role in the T20 side since his comeback after PSL 2023 and his being recently awarded a central contract. However, his sudden departure has left a void, triggering Pakistan’s search for the next T20 spin all-rounder.
His impressive performances with bat and ball, particularly since his return to the national side in 2023 and his experience in the Caribbean during the CPL, made him a surefire starter for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, primarily hosted in the Caribbean.
Today we delve into some of the possible options that could take his place in the side
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Muhammad Nawaz
The most apparent candidate for Imad Wasim’s replacement as the spin all-rounder is Muhammad Nawaz. He has been a steady presence in the ODI and T20 sides. However, since Imad’s return in 2023, he became more of a backup option in T20s playing only 2 out of the 8 T20Is there onwards. On his good days, Nawaz can seamlessly fill Imad’s shoes, boasting similar attributes with his left-arm spin and left-handed batting.
However, his recent form in limited-overs cricket raises some concerns. With just three wickets in his last ten ODIs and a decline in T20 returns, both in the national team and leagues like the LPL and PSL, indicate a very poor run of form in the past year or so. If you couple that up with the intense criticism he has been receiving from former cricketers, Nawaz might not be the straightforward replacement many would anticipate
Usama Mir:
Another viable option worth considering is leg-spinner Usama Mir. His notable height and spin-bowling prowess make him an attacking choice for the team. While he has been a consistent part of the ODI plans for a year now, he is yet to make his T20I debut. However, his impressive performance in the PSL and other ventures like The Hundred make a compelling case for his inclusion.
One significant drawback is his limited ability with the bat, which doesn’t quite match up to someone like Imad Wasim. This limitation affects his potential as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Additionally, opting for Usama Mir would mean fielding two leg-spinners, with Shadab Khan being a regular starter in T20s. While the dual leg-spin strategy may be perceived as a risky move, Usama Mir’s attacking spin style, especially considering the surfaces in the Caribbean, can make him a valuable asset heading into the T20 World Cup.
Arafat Minhas:
An exciting prospect for the spin-bowling all-rounder role could be the 18-year-old Arafat Minhas. With a skill set mirroring Imad Wasim’s, possessing left-arm spin and left-handed batting options, he brings the added advantage of being more proficient with the bat compared to alternatives like Usama Mir. Arafat recently made his debut in the Asian Games, leaving a lasting impression by maintaining an economy rate under 6 in the three games.
His batting prowess was showcased in Karachi against SL-U19s, where he notched up three half-centuries, narrowly missing out on a century by just 5 runs in one inning. Arafat Minhas emerges as a compelling like-for-like replacement for Imad in the spin all-rounder role. While his lack of experience, especially in T20s, may pose a challenge, the ample games scheduled before the World Cup offer him the opportunity to acclimate and showcase his abilities and skills at the international level.
Qasim Akram:
Often touted as the future captain of the side, Qasim brings significant leadership experience from his time at the under-19 level. He also recently led the national side in the Asian Games. With ample domestic exposure and impressive statistics in List A and FC cricket, he is a promising candidate.
However, it’s important to note that Qasim offers a distinctly different skill set as a spin-bowling all-rounder compared to Imad Wasim. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off-spinner. Despite his leadership qualities and achievements in longer formats, his T20 performances have been lackluster. Additionally, his subpar display with both bat and ball in the ongoing National T20 Cup raises concerns about his immediate viability as a replacement.
Khushdil Shah:
A rather unconventional and out-of-the-box option for the role of a T20 spin-bowling all-rounder is Khushdil Shah. He brings the same combination of left-arm spin and left-handed batting as Imad Wasim and brings with him a robust power-hitting game, complemented by ample experience with the national side.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that Khushdil is not as regular a bowler as Imad or some of the other options on this list. While his power-hitting abilities are noteworthy, his consistent struggles to make an impact with the bat against quality attacks during his time with the national side in 2022 could potentially affect his candidacy for this role.
Spin All-rounder – Conclusion
In summary, Imad Wasim’s abrupt retirement leaves Pakistan in search of a T20 spin-bowling all-rounder for the upcoming World Cup. Muhammad Nawaz and the youthful Arafat Minhas stand out as potential replacements, each bringing their unique strengths and similar skills as Imad. Usama and Qasim are also options in the mix with the out-of-the-box possibility of Khusdil Shah.
With each candidate presenting a blend of promise and challenges, the decision hinges on striking the right balance between skill set as well as team combination as Pakistan gears up for their t20 challenges leading into the marquee event in June 2024.
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