Indian wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has ranked Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik ahead of Australia’s all-format prolific batsman Steve Smith as a better spin player between the two.
Chahal believes that Malik is a better batsman than the world’s No.1 Test batsman Smith when it comes to playing spin. The leg-spinner also talked about the best players of spin bowling in international cricket at the moment during an Instagram live session.
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Praising Malik, Chahal recalled the 2018 Asia Cup clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan — which the Men in Blue won by nine wickets in convincing fashion – in which the 29-year-old realized how the veteran all-rounder is good against the spin bowling.
Chahal said during the Instagram Live, “I was bowling to Malik during the Asia Cup and was impressed with the way he was taking singles of good deliveries. I realized that this player has a lot of experience and I think he is better than Steve Smith when it comes to playing spin bowling.”
Meanwhile, the leg-spinner was also asked to rate the best players of spin bowling in the world, including India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and England’s Joe Root at the moment, saying they all are good against the spin that’s why they are at the top.
Chahal further said, “Virat and Rohit are obviously quality players of spin bowling so they will be at the top. Also, Williamson makes life difficult for spin bowlers because he plays the ball really late, especially on a pitch that is slow.”
Noteworthy, the 38-year-old Pakistan all-rounder has already retired from Tests and ODI cricket after representing the country in 35 and 287 matches respectively, but continues to play the T20 format.
(With Geo Super Inputs)
