Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris highlighted a weakness in Pakistan’s top-order and suggested India make the most of it in the upcoming blockbuster encounter between the two arch-rivals in the Asia Cup 2022 to be held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 28.
Styris mentioned that Pakistan is heavily dependent on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and that India should not allow the duo to stitch a partnership if they want to win.
Notably, Babar and Rizwan shared an unbeaten hundred-plus opening stand to help Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets in a group match in the T20 World Cup 2021 at the same venue.
Scott Styris said on SPORTS18’s daily sports news show SPORTS OVER THE TOP: “They should always be concerned about this top order, but the difference is this is probably one of the least unpredictable. Does that make them the most predictable team that I can remember for Pakistan? Because I think that they've embraced a culture of how they want to play the game and I think it's worked for them, whereas India, I think, is still searching a little bit.”
He further explained, “So if you were to just look at the side, they rely so heavily on this man here, Mohammad Rizwan, along with Babar Azam, because if they get them off to a start, there's a lot of power hitting to come. So, therefore, they will look to provide the base and then Fakhar Zaman of this world with all that power, that left-handed sort of variety as well.”
He signed off by saying, “I think coming in and maybe looking to attack the spinners, in particular, I think could work in Pakistan's favor. So India's key is to break that opening partnership, make those middle order players for Pakistan do what they don't want to do and that's actually at the back rather than walk out there and hit.”
