India and Pakistan will face off for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 and all eyes will be on the Indian top-order, who were poor against the powerful pace trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf in the first match on September 2. In an exclusive chat with Sports Tak, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi revealed the tactics that will benefit Team India heading into the all-important Super Fours clash, putting pressure on the likes of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Speaking during a joint show between Pakistan's Samaa TV and Aaj Tak, Afridi pointed out that most of the Indian batters play a very rigid form of cricket when facing Pakistan's pacers. This works against them as they need someone to be more aggressive at the top, citing the example of Virender Sehwag.
"If India plays within a shell, then I do not think they will survive. They have to play attacking cricket. One of the top-order batters has to play attacking cricket to force the Pakistan bowlers to change their lines and lengths. Something like what Virender Sehwag used to do for India."
Go with four pacers for maximum effect: Wahab Riaz
Another former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz also echoed a similar sentiment
"If India manage to see off the strike bowlers, then the pressure builds on Haris Rauf. With Rauf, you need another wicket-taking bowler. I believe it will not be an easy game for both teams. Pakistan will have the ball swinging and this might work to their advantage."
"If you want to put India in trouble then go with four pacers." This advice was seemingly taken as Pakistan have decided to go with just two spinners as Faheem Ashraf retained his side. Ashraf was economical against Bangladesh conceding 27 runs from seven overs. He also picked up the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.
Pakistan Playing XI
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
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