Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra wants Team India’s batters to play each ball on its merit and not to think about the Pakistan bowlers’ reputation in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash between the two sides. The two arch-rivals will take on each other at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 10. The Pakistan pacers claimed all 10 Indian wickets in the Group A match between the two teams, with Shaheen Shah Afridi starring with a four-wicket haul as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra added: “Against Pakistan’s pacers, play the ball and not the bowler. Don’t lose more than one wicket in the first 15 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi is staying rent-free in our minds at the moment. It is the truth that he is playing on our minds and he is not alone. Let’s be honest, he has Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf alongside him. When this trio attacks together, they surround you. Our coach used to tell us that you don’t have to play the bowler, a ball only is going to come out of his hand and you have to play that ball. So forget the bowler’s reputation.”

However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Team India mustn’t lose too many wickets against the new ball. He further added that they end up chasing the game if that happens, which becomes a problem.

“The second thing is to attack the fifth bowler. If you are able to manage the first 15 overs, then put the fifth bowler under immense pressure. It could be Mohammad Nawaz or Faheem Ashraf, whoever it is, go after him. You have to show intent somewhere. You shouldn’t do it against the new ball because you need to respect the threat in front of you. So give respect to the new-ball bowlers and hit the fifth bowler. Put them under pressure, so that Agha Salman comes to bowl, and then you can actually capitalize,” Aakash Chopra concluded.