India vs Pakistan: Key battles in T20 World Cup opener – Virat Kohli & Co will face Pakistan in a crunch clash in a T20 World Cup Super 12 Group 2 match on Sunday. While traditionally India vs Pakistan clashes have offered some of the most entertaining key battles, on Sunday, Babar Azam will be up against Jasprit Bumrah while Kohli will face another left-arm fast bowler in Shaheen Afridi.
While India have dominated Pakistan in ICC World Cups, Pakistan aren’t a side to be taken lightly. The likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Hasan Ali have done well, winning the series in South Africa is one of the many achievements. For India, the responsibility lies with the top-order. KL Rahul in superb form besides Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and an unpredictable Rishabh Pant will be the key to success. In bowling, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have raised hopes that India will go 13-0 up against Pakistan.
India vs Pakistan: From Virat Kohli vs Afridi to Babar Azam vs Jasprit Bumrah, 5 key battles to watch out for in India’s T20 World Cup opener
InsideSport takes a look at the five key battles that will take place in blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash.
Virat Kohli vs Shaheen Afridi: Even though Virat Kohli has an average of 86.47 against Pakistan in the T20Is, his dwindling form in the last two years is a cause for concern and he will be up against left-arm pacer nemesis. Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi may not have established himself as a top bowler in T20s but his pace, height and skills will test Kohli.
Babar Azam vs Jasprit Bumrah: An extra-ordinary batsman vs an extra-ordinary bowler, the mouthwatering clash will be the top battle to watch out for. Both are in good form and against Bumrah, whose deliveries have troubled the likes of Joe Root, Jos Buttler and Kane Williamson amongst others, it will be interesting to see how Babar Azam faces Bumrah.
India vs Pakistan: From Virat Kohli vs Afridi to Babar Azam vs Jasprit Bumrah, 5 key battles to watch out for in India’s T20 World Cup opener
Fakhar Zaman vs Varun Chakravarthy: An excellent batter of spin, Fakhar Zaman can quickly build up pressure on any bowler. India’s trump card could be Varun Chakravarthy if Virat Kohli opts to go with him in place of Ravichandran Ashwin. Chakravarthy hasn’t played against Pakistan and that could be India’s advantage. On slower surfaces in the UAE, he could be India’s golden boy and can tame the beast in Fakhar Zaman.
Rohit Sharma vs Hasan Ali: Not many batsmen have the natural ability to smash any bowler on any day effortlessly without much feet movement but Rohit Sharma is one of the unique naturally gifted batsmen. He will be up against Hasan Ali whose slower deliveries and variations will be difficult to hit. As Rohit will be hungry to get going from the start and continue his dominance against Pakistan, it will be an interesting battle.
Mohammad Rizwan vs Mohammed Shami: An extremely effective opener vs an extremely skilful pacer, Mohammad Rizwan vs Mohammed Shami will be an interesting battle. Both Shami and Rizwan have excelled against their opponents in white-ball cricket. If Shami has evolved with his variations and pace, Rizwan’s brute force against bowlers has been key to his success. On Sunday, in the powerplay, both will be keen to put up their best game and the cricket lovers will be in for a treat.
