The marquee clash between India and Pakistan will be played in Dubai which kickstarts their campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The teams have played each other five times in T20 World Cups in the past with India winning all five games. Meanwhile, former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has given a critical advice to the Indian team ahead of their match against the arch-rivals.
Babar Azam is likely to bat at the top of the order for Pakistan alongside Mohammad Rizwan. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was asked about India’s strategy to dismiss the Pakistan skipper.
Bowl Incoming Deliveries At Babar Azam: Aakash Chopra
“At times, you need to know your opponents’ strengths more than their weaknesses, where you should not bowl to him. He plays very well square of the wicket, he plays a good cut and punch.”
Chopra further spoke about Babar Azam’s off-side game speaking extensively on his cover drive which is among the best played by the modern batsmen.
Babar Azam’s Art Of Playing The Cover Drive
“Actually he plays very well on the off-side, Babar Azam also plays very good drives on the rise, through the off-side. At times, he reminds you of Virat Kohli, he plays such beautiful drives” Chopra said.
Azam has a terrific record in the T20I format. He has scored 2204 runs in 61 T20Is, doing so at an excellent average of 46.89 along with an impressive strike rate of 130.64. The former Indian batsman has adviced the Indian bowlers to bowl incoming deliveries to Azam and cramp him for room.
“So where you need to bowl to him, I will say within the three stumps. He scores fewer runs down the ground. So bowl him in the incoming deliveries within the stumps at the start with the new ball – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami” he said.
Chopra concluded by saying that if India wants to dismiss The Pakistan skipper early, their bowlers should not given him easy runs to scores especially on the offside.
“I am saying don’t give him the room, keep him quiet there. You can push the square leg fielder back and try to get him leg-before or bowled. If you bowl that close, the chances of getting caught behind will also be created. You should also bowl an odd bouncer in between” he concluded saying.
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