Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slammed Pakistan’s batting after they suffered a seven-wicket loss against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai in the ongoing Asia Cup on Sunday. After electing to bat first against India, Pakistan batters looked clueless against a potent Indian bowling line-up, managing only 127-9 in their 20 overs.
Ashwin said Pakistan batters could not bring their best against a quality pacer like Jasprit Bumrah. The ace pacer accounted for Mohammad Harris when the right-hander tried to heave Bumrah over the deep square leg boundary but could only manage a top-edge, which was taken by Hardik Pandya.
“Apart from Saim Ayub, I don’t think the Pakistan team has any class. If we compare the batting of both sides, Abhishek Sharma stepped out first ball, used his feet against Shaheen Shah Afridi. In stark comparison, Mohammad Haris was rooted in crease trying to heave Jasprit Bumrah across the line, and the ball went straight up. You cannot play such a shot against Bumrah, this is not the Oman team. You can hit bowlers like that, but it is not the same here,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin noted that Pakistan was not tactically right against India and highlighted how Hasan Nawaz was trying to hit without any footwork. On the contrary, Ashwin said Tilak Varma, who scored a run-a-ball 31, played all kinds of shots.
“Pakistan have also been tactically very, very poor. Even Hasan Nawaz was looking to hit without any foot movement. Look at Tilak Varma instead, he played the reverse sweep, scored through the off side, and played the slog sweep. So, India tactically, technically, and strategically are in a different league,” he added.
The former all-rounder said Indian players have gained confidence after playing in the high-pressure IPL.
“This is the strongest Indian T20 team that we have put on against Pakistan. That is the way I like to look at it. This is not explosive batting, but it is just unbelievably good, tactical, proper batting. Where did the Indian players get this exposure? Through the IPL. The players are used to playing shots under pressure now. It is a habit now,” the former Indian player stated.
India will next take on Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Friday.
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