The Indian team’s dominant performance in the Asia Cup, marked by a significant victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has set the stage for an eagerly anticipated clash against Pakistan on September 14th. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has expressed his concerns about the Indian team, highlighting their current fearless and aggressive style of play, which he believes puts immense pressure on their opponents. Akram’s observations stem from the UAE match, where he specifically praised opening batsman Abhishek Sharma. During a discussion on Sony Sports, Akram noted the distinct mindset of the Indian players, emphasizing their uninhibited approach to the game. He attributed this to a well-established process, suggesting that the robust T20 domestic cricket structure in India is instrumental in preparing players for international success. He also lauded Abhishek Sharma’s batting prowess, citing his impressive strike rate of over 190 in T20Is, a testament to the influence of the IPL and India’s domestic cricket. In the conversation, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja posed a question to Akram regarding Pakistan’s confidence level against India. Akram responded by acknowledging Pakistan’s good form while emphasizing their team’s focus on collective performance rather than individual statistics, which he believes has contributed to their consistent results. Furthermore, Akram shared his views on Pakistan’s match against Oman, noting that the Pakistani batsmen faced some difficulties. He suggested that a cautious approach is necessary when encountering bowlers for the first time. He complimented Mohammad Haris’s batting performance. He expressed his preference for Mohammad Haris at number three but questioned the decision regarding Fakhar Zaman, who has been an opening batsman throughout his career. Akram pointed out the challenges of managing a team with multiple opening batsmen. Pakistan won their first match of the Asia Cup against Oman by 93 runs.
