Pakistan must fully capitalize on India’s premier pacers Bumrah, Shami missing out in Asia Cup: Sarfraz Nawaz

Former Pakistan fast-medium pacer Sarfraz Nawaz felt that his country should take advantage of India’s bowling attack in the Asia Cup 2022 group-stage fixture. India and Pakistan are all set to take on each other in a high-voltage clash on August 28 at the Dubai International Stadium. Both teams have had big blows ahead of the tournament with Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi ruled out due to injuries.

Apart from Bumrah, India will not have the services of Mohammed Shami for the Asia Cup while Harshal Patel isn’t available due to his injury. It will be down to Bhuvneshwar Kumar to use his experience in the bowling attack for India. Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh, who have been picked in the 15-member squad have played 19 T20Is in total and it is going to be a tough challenge against the Pakistan batting unit.

Bowlers win matches, feels Sarfraz Nawaz

Nawaz mentioned the importance of bowlers’ ability to win games and felt that Pakistan should be able to dominate the Indian bowling attack which will be without Bumrah and Shami. He noted that the Men in Green have been playing against weak oppositions and was willing to see the performances of Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“Bowlers win matches and since India’s premier pacers Bumrah and Shami are missing out for the clash, Pakistan must fully capitalize on the situation and replicate the same results from last time around,” Nawaz said in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.

“We were playing against weak teams. We haven’t faced tough competitors and we will see how the team will perform in the World Cup,” Nawaz added.

It has to be noted that Pakistan clinched the previous encounter against India in the T20 World Cup 2021 and the Indian fast bowlers looked ineffective at the time. However, India has had a brilliant run since the early exit in the tournament and is yet to lose a T20I series under the leadership of Rohit Sharma this year.