Former Pakistani captain Misbah Ul Haq advised England to utilize their bowling resources smartly to negate the threat of India’s Suryakumar Yadav in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 which will be played at Adelaide on November 10, 2022.
Suryakumar Yadav has been in devastating form with 225 runs to his name at a strike rate of 193 with 3 half-centuries to his name. He has been a death knell for the fast bowlers, especially in death overs and Misbah said that England must keep him away from his strengths.
"I think he is utilizing the pace very well. So early on, especially if Wood is bowling, ensure that he does not have much width to play the delivery. That is one area early on where he can be caught behind.
I think the most important part will be the fielding plans. The fielders in the fine leg and square leg are very important. You have to keep the fine leg fielder finer. Even the square-leg fielder should be kept inside. So that he can’t utilize the pace and play shots behind the wicket. You have to keep him away from his strengths," Misbah said in A Sports show ‘The Pavilion’.
T20 World Cup 2022: Rishabh Pant picks his top five T20I players, includes himself in the list
On the other hand, Shoaib Malik suggested that the areas in the field that are targeted by Suryakumar Yadav more often and England can adjust their field placements accordingly.
"Since he is a middle-order batsman, after six overs if they plan to bowl a medium pacer or pace bowler, you bring the mid-on fielder up and push the mid-off. I have seldom seen him playing past mid-on. He targets the areas over extra cover or mid-off or behind the wickets. They need to use the length ball which can lure him to play the big shot," Malik said.
Suryakumar scored half-centuries against the Netherlands, South Africa, and Zimbabwe after a rare quiet outing of 15 against Pakistan. His knock of 68 off 40 balls against South Africa is widely regarded as one of the best T20I innings by an Indian batter given that others failed to score on the bouncy wicket against Proteas pacers.
