Do not agree with Nathan Lyon that Tim Paine is the best wicketkeeper in the world: Saba Karim

Former Team India selector Saba Karim has dismissed Nathan Lyon’s comment that Tim Paine is the best wicketkeeper in world cricket at the present point in time. Paine made his Test debut back in 2010, but became a regular member of the team only after the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. He took over as their skipper and helped in rebuilding their reputation.

However, the ‘sexting scandal’ from 2017 prompted him to resign as Australia’s Test skipper. Of late, he also took the decision of taking some time off from the sport to take care of his mental well-being. Karim, also a former Indian cricketer, said that Paine should find himself in playing elevens given his numbers in the past.

But now in Paine’s absence, he picked Josh Inglis as a strong contender to don the keeper’s gloves in whites. The veteran was clear cut in saying that the Aussie team management should look forward and groom young wicketkeepers for the future. Karim also felt that the Australian selectors may also look at Alex Carey as Paine’s replacement.

Saba Karim picks two contenders for Australia’s keeping slots    

“Once Tim Paine stepped down as the captain, he deserved to be a part of the playing XI looking at his past record. But now given that he has taken some time off, Australia selectors need to look beyond Tim Paine. There are two contenders for the slot — Alex Carey and Josh Inglis. I would go with Josh Inglis,” Karim told during an interaction with select media.

About Lyon’s statement, Karim said that there are quite a few contenders for the best wicketkeeper’s position. He reckoned that England’s Jos Buttler, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and India’s Rishabh Pant are far better than Paine.

“Coming back to Nathan Lyon’s statement, I somehow do not agree with him, there are two or three contenders in world cricket. If you look at Jos Buttler, he has been remarkable. Mohammad Rizwan has also been exceptional for Pakistan. I would put Buttler first, then Rizwan. I would also put Rishabh Pant before Tim Paine before all these three are ahead of Tim Paine,” Karim added.