As the series finale against the West Indies looms, Pakistan’s think tank finds itself wrestling with a familiar headache — the search for a reliable fifth bowling option.
With the series level and the pressure mounting, skipper Babar Azam and coach Gary Kirsten are weighing their options carefully. The first four slots are locked with pace spearheads and spinners in form, but the all-rounder slot remains the burning question.
📊 Bowling Unit So Far in the Series:
Shaheen Afridi: 6 wickets at 19.3
Naseem Shah: 5 wickets at 21.0
Shadab Khan: 4 wickets at 24.5
Usama Mir: 3 wickets at 28.6
Fifth bowler(s): Economy over 7.0, wickets scarce
The absence of a dependable fifth option has forced Pakistan to rotate part-timers like Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman, but both have struggled to contain West Indies’ power hitters in the middle overs.
🗣 “It’s a balancing act — we need depth in batting, but also the extra bowling cushion,” a team source revealed.
With West Indies boasting an explosive middle order, Pakistan’s decision could prove decisive in whether they lift the series trophy or leave empty-handed.
⏳ Series Decider: [Venue], [Date], under lights — a test not just of skill, but of selection nerve.
