(AFP Photo)
Pakistan all-rounder Fawad Alam emphasized the importance of neutralizing the impact of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming high-stakes T20 World Cup clash on Sunday. Alam highlighted that a victory against India is crucial for Babar Azam’s team to rejuvenate their campaign, especially after Pakistan’s unexpected defeat against co-hosts USA in a thrilling Super Over encounter, contrasting India’s strong start with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Ireland.
“Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will make an impact for India in the game because of their experience and also the quality of both of them. They can easily take the game away from Pakistan,” Alam told PTI videos in an interview.
“As a team, India is well-balanced, and it will be really hard to get past them.”
Alam, boasting a career spanning 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 24 T20Is for Pakistan, emphasized the significance of left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir delivering a game-changing performance against India. He cited Amir’s pivotal role in the Champions Trophy final of 2017 as a benchmark, indicating that a similar impactful display will be crucial for Pakistan’s success in the upcoming match.
“I feel Mohammad Amir will redeem himself and give a match-winning performance against India alongside captain Babar who has had a pretty decent record against them,” said Alam, whose last T20I for Pakistan came back in 2010.
Amir had an ordinary Super Over against the USA, conceding 18 runs, but Alam warned against writing the pacer off.
“Based on that super over, you can’t blame Amir. He is not the same bowler as he was four years back.
“He has been playing cricket in different leagues and is still Pakistan’s best and most experienced bowler,” he added.
Alam conceded that the defeat against the USA was not within the acceptable parameters for Pakistan. He acknowledged that the team would undoubtedly feel the weight of pressure going into the match against India.
“Pakistan losing to the USA is very shocking. The USA is playing in their first World Cup, so it is not acceptable at all.
“Now the pressure is on Pakistan in the game against India. All I can hope is for a good game of cricket,” he said.
Alam expressed optimism that Pakistan’s bowling unit would perform admirably against India, even though they might be lacking in quality spin options.
“Imad Wasim’s injury has come as a shock. Shadab is completely out of form with the ball in his hand. Pakistan is clearly lagging in bowling, especially in the spin department.
“India has Bumrah, (Mohammad) Siraj, and Kuldeep (Yadav) who can pose a threat. But if Pakistan bowling clicks in the improved conditions as claimed by ICC then we may witness them having an edge over India,” he noted.
The left-arm spinner suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) ought to have conducted a thorough inspection of the drop-in pitch at the Nassau County stadium long before the tournament commenced.
He highlighted that the pitch at Nassau County has been inconsistent, providing unpredictable bounce for pacers, which has endangered the safety of batsmen.
During the match against Ireland, India’s Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant both suffered blows due to the pitch conditions.
“If the wickets are well-prepared in Dallas and Florida then why didn’t you host the games there? Now, you are trying to cover up but what about those teams who have already played their games and lost those matches? Who is responsible for that?” he said.
