Saq has issued warning to England rivals
BEN Stokes believes Lancashire bowler Saqib Mahmood will force some more established stars to ‘look over their shoulder’ after his stunning form against Pakistan.
When Eoin Morgan’s first-choice ODI squad was sent into isolation ahead of the series, the Red Rose pace ace was one of the more experienced options available to head coach Chris Silverwood and found himself leading a novice attack, despite owning just four caps himself.
But he has since stood tall at Cardiff and Lord’s, claiming 4-42 and 2-21 while dismissing the world’s No.1 50-over batsman Babar Azam on both occasions.
One more strong performance at Edgbaston yesterday, when England were looking to sweep the series 3-0, would only increase his rapidly rising stock and could see him rocket up the pecking order.
Lancashire academy product Mahmood has been in and around the England squad for several years now, travelling as a reserve and taking part in
A tours and training camps.
“With the squad getting wiped out, the one positive was that we could see guys come who have been on the fringe and, for Saqi, coming in and being the senior bowler has done him the world of good,” said Stokes.
“He hasn’t been fazed by anything, he’s been taking the new ball and I’ve asked him to come back on at crucial times in games where he’s performed really well.
“So from an individual point of view it’s done him the world of good and from an England point of view, it’s another player that lads will have to look over their shoulder for. Saqi seems to always want the ball in his hands...he loves every minute of it.
“He loves to be in those situations where he’s expected to be the man to change a game and he’s done it every time he’s bowled for me this series.
“Competition for places is always a great thing to have at any level so when you get a complete new squad and they have put in such performances, that really adds to the expectation that gets put on to the main guys’ shoulders when they come back.”