IND Vs PAK | 'Shaheen Vs Indian Openers Will Dictate The Contest' - Ravi Shastri
Shaheen Afridi [AP]
Recalling his experience with the Indian team as former head coach at the men's T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai, Ravi Shastri said contest between Pakistan's lethal new-ball pacer Shaheen Afridi and Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be absolute key as the two nations lock horns for ICC World Cup 2023.
Shastri believes Shaheen's much-anticipated face off with Rohit and Gill could "dictate" the mouthwatering clash in Ahmedabad on Saturday (October 14). The ex-Indian allrounder doesn't have happy memories of Shaheen running through the Indian top-order in Dubai to set the tone for Pakistan's ten-wicket victory and thinks a repeat of that could be fatal to India's chances.
Shaheen hasn't been in the best of form and rhythm heading into the epic India clash and was taken for figures of 1/37 & 1/66 by the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Pakistan's first two league matches. However, the occasion of an Indo-Pak fixture and setting of a 1.2-lakh capacity crowd could spur the young speedster on.
Babar's men would also depend heavily on the incisive left-arm quick to trouble the Indian openers with his late swing and ease the pressure for the rest of the bowling attack, with the likes of Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan feeling the heat in the competition so far.
Shastri Picks out Shaheen Vs Indian openers as a key battle
"I think Shaheen Shah Afridi against the Indian openers (is important)," Shastri was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times ahead of the mother of all clashes."It’s a given that that’s going to be the test, that it’s going to be the challenge. Whoever wins that will go a long way towards dictating terms in that game."
Shastri persisted on the new-ball influence for either side and urged Pakistan to also be mindful of the threat posed by ace Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah and his pace partner Mohammed Siraj against Babar, who, like Shaheen, is undergoing a dip in his performances.
Pakistan's best player with the bat has failed in his last seven innings since producing a classic 151 against Nepal at the start of last month's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Babar struggled his way to 5 off 18 deliveries against the Dutch and looked a shadow of his best for a 15-ball 10 versus the Lankan Lions.
"I think at the top, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be key (for India). If they both get going and one gets a hundred, I emphasise that 300, 320, 330, that is very much a possibility. Similarly, from Pakistan’s point of view, I think in this game, again it will be at the top. You want their captain to fire."
"Babar Azam has not had a great run of late, but if he starts firing, getting that 80-100 early doors in the tournament, it’ll make his job as a captain a lot easier," he added.
 "Kashish Chadha")
