As Pakistan look to topple champs India in Sunday’s Asia Cup final in Dubai, their biggest challenge will be dashing opener Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old left-hander has amassed a whopping 309 runs in six innings at a staggering strike rate of 204.63. However, the swashbuckling batter can be dismissed early, feel Pakistan’s former pacers, and here’s how.
“Abhishek can take the game away in the first few overs, but everyone has a bad day and his could be on Sunday. There will be pressure on him in a final, and if Pakistani bowlers bowl with clarity and plan, they can get him out early,” former pace ace Waqar Younis, known for his accurate yorkers, told telecomasia.net.
Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Wasim Akram believes pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi needs to change his length. “In both matches, Shaheen bowled full length. He needs to vary it and move the ball back of the length to disturb Sharma’s rhythm,” said Akram.
Mohammad Amir wants Pakistan’s pacers to attack the stumps. “A bowler should not allow him [Abhishek] to open his arms. Bowling a swinging delivery inside the stumps, four to five metres in length, can force an edge. I have seen Mitchell Starc dismiss him in the IPL with an outswinger. A perfect slower ball could also work, as he plays with hard hands — it might get him out caught in the air in the circle,” said the former Pakistan speedster.
Former pacer Mohammad Asif demanded consistency from Pakistan’s bowlers. “Bowl three deliveries to him at the same spot. He’ll play the first two and get out on the third. Trying to bowl different deliveries too early won’t succeed. And you can’t start with a bouncer — like Shaheen did in the second match,” said Asif.
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