With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 barely a few days away, Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram has opined that pace will hold a key during the marquee event in Australia.
"It's in Australia. The Australians will probably play well, they have a good bowling attack, they know those pitches," Wasim told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Dubai on Tuesday (October 11).
"India have Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he is good with the new ball, but with his pace, if the ball is not swinging, he will probably struggle there. But he is a very good bowler no doubt, swings both ways, has the yorker. But you need pace in Australia," he added.
According to Wasim Akram, India should have picked their new pace sensation Umran Malik in the squad, especially after Jasprit Bumrah got ruled out of the showpiece tournament.
"You see that guy from Kashmir, Umran Malik, he is quick. India need to stick with him because he has got pace. If I was in the Indian think-tank, I would have picked him in the squad all the time," he stated.
Talking about the batters, Wasim said India's Suryakumar Yadav is one of his favourites and expects him to do well in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
"He is a very dangerous player, he is a 360 player. I saw him first time when he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders. I spent two years with him. I was amazed that the KKR let him go. He was young, he was 19 or 20 then, imagine, he would have been the (KKR) captain by now," Wasim recalled.
"I think he is the future as far as the T20 format is concerned. He is a treat to watch, one of my favourite players in the format no doubt."
When asked whether Suryakumar will be a key to India's chances at the World Cup, Akram replied: "Absolutely. I think he said in one of his interviews that he likes the even bounce on the Australian pitches. The way he bats, he will enjoy those Australian pitches."
In the end, Wasim tipped India, Pakistan, and defending champions Australia as three favourites to reach the semifinals.
"India have a good batting line-up. But they still haven't named Bumrah's replacement. Pakistan, their middle-order is struggling. If the middle-order clicks, Pakistan have a very good bowling attack and one of the best opening pairs. So if they can control the middle-order, they have a chance," he said.
"So for the semifinals, what I would like to see is Australia, India and Pakistan. But South Africa could be a dark horse."
