'I’d be a little wary of this' - Scott Styris warns Indian bowlers ahead of Pakistan clash

The much anticipated 15th edition of the Asia Cup is just a couple of days away and the teams are looking at possible matchups leading up to their opening fixtures. Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has given his views on the high-profile clash between India and Pakistan on the 28th of August, reckoning India will have to be wary of Pakistan’s potent lower-middle order batters.

While Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will clash in the curtain raiser on the 27th of August, it is the epic clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on the following day that has been the talk of the town. India, the record seven-time winners of the coveted trophy, are one of the outright favorites for the tournament this year but will face stiff competition from Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

The much-talked-about Paksitani top order, featuring the indomitable Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, will be a cause for concern for every opposition. But former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris stated that the Men in Green are equally dangerous in the finishing stages of the innings with some terrific cricketers in their ranks.

“Oh, 100 percent. Look let’s be clear. You don’t play at this level if you’re not a great player and yes there’s a grey area on what grade it is. But these players are terrific cricketers who all on their day and they’re all young and they’re coming through and some of them are a little bit inexperienced. You’ve got all those varieties to what their game is at the moment,” Scott Styris said speaking exclusively on SPORTS18’s daily sports news show ‘SPORTS OVER THE TOP’.

Scott Styris believes the absence of Jasprit Bumrah will be key in the India-Pakistan clash

The Kiwi also highlighted that the Indian team will be light in the death bowling department due to Jasprit Bumrah’s unfortunate injury, which could play in the hands of the Pakistani batters. In the absence of Bumrah, one of the premiere death bowlers in the world, the pressure will be on the other Indian bowlers, and they will must be wary of the Pakistani batting line-up, which can run up to number eight.

“So, India with their injuries they’ve got at the top and especially the reliability on Bumrah in terms of the ball then you’re under a bit more pressure with other players with ball in hand. So, I’d be a little wary of this Pakistan closing ability. Especially if they can get that down to say number 8 in their batting order which allows them to continually play with freedom,” He added.