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How Suryakumar's Axar Patel Gamble Fooled Fakhar Zaman In IND vs PAK Asia Cup Match

Debashis Sarangi

Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Axar [Source: AFP]Fakhar Zaman was dismissed by Axar [Source: AFP]

Veteran Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman had a disappointing outing against arch-rivals India in the sixth group-stage match of the Asia Cup 2025. Coming at number three, Fakhar managed only 17 runs off 15 deliveries before Axar Patel got rid of him in the game. 

How Suryakumar's Brave Call Led To Fakhar's Dismissal?

Criterion
Data
Balls142
Runs238
Dismissals5
Average47.6
Strike Rate167.60

(Fakhar's record vs left-arm spin before IND vs PAK Asia Cup match)

Despite recording middling numbers in T20 Internationals, Fakhar Zaman has been a proven performer against left-arm off-spin bowlers in the format. 

Statistically, the swashbuckling southpaw had hammered 238 runs at an average of 47.6 and a magnificent strike rate of 167.60 against left-arm off-spinners before the ongoing Asia Cup encounter versus India. 

He had faced Axar Patel's four deliveries, scoring eight runs at a strike rate of 200. So, it was indeed a risk that Suryakumar Yadav took when he handed over the ball to Axar Patel, India's premier left-arm spinner to bowl at Fakhar. 

However, the wily spinner deceived the southpaw with his flight, inducing a false shot off his bat. Tilak Varma completed the formalities, taking an easy catch at mid on. Thus, Suryakumar's gamble to bowl Axar and invite Fakhar for a big shot reaped rewards for the Indian side, showcasing his risk-taking ability in big matches. 

The veteran batter hasn't had a great Asia Cup season so far. He managed only 23 runs off 

Pakistan Crumble As Axar Bags 2 Key Wickets

Suryakumar Yadav's clever usage of Axar worked wonders for India, as the left-arm spinner scalped crucial wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Agha Salman, leaving Pakistan in a disarray. While Sahibzada Farhan remains unbeaten at one end, the failure of Saim, Fakhar, Salman, Hasan Nawaz has ensured an underwhelming outing for Pakistan in the high stakes affair. 

As of writing, the Men in Green were reeling at 64 for five, with Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Nawaz batting in the middle.