India and Pakistan are all set to take on each other in the marquee event – ICC T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday (October 24) in Dubai. Both the teams are practising in the nets while the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup started on Saturday (October 23). Meanwhile, Pakistan has included their pace bowling sensation in Shahnawaz Dahani in their announced squad as well. And, he was seen having a chat with former India captain MS Dhoni, who has joined Team India as a mentor as well.
However, on Saturday Dahani noticed MS Dhoni walking at the venue during Pakistan’s practice session and the youngster went to the veteran. The duo was seen having a brief conversation as well and even, Dahani was heard saying, “Aap Dhoni hain…mai Dahani hoon.” In response, MS Dhoni said, “I am getting older now,” and to this, Shahnawaz acknowledged Dhoni’s fitness saying, “No, you’re even fitter than before.”
READ HERE: Aakash Chopra opens up on New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad
Here’s the video:
Pakistan bowling sensation ShahnawazDahani looks exited to see the legend @msdhoni ..
"Aap #Dhoni hain ..mai Dahani hon"#PakVsInd #India vs #Pakistan #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/9xZe6Vq6Yb
— Shakir Abbasi (@ShakirAbbasi22) October 22, 2021
Meanwhile, experienced India, as well as Delhi Capitals spinner Amit Mishra, said that Pakistan batsmen will find it difficult to face the mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy on the ‘slow’ UAE pitches when Team India will begin their journey in the ICC T20 World Cup against the Pakistan side on October 24 as well.
READ HERE: Shaun Tait explains why speedsters struggle to bowl 150+kmph
However, Varun had a great IPL 2021 season where he claimed 18 wickets from 17 games which came at an economy of 6.5 as well. With his best figures of 3/13 in IPL 2021, Chakravarthy, who plays for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket finished as the joint sixth with 18 wickets on the ‘Purple Cap’ list also. Meanwhile, he recently made his debut against Sri Lanka in August where he claimed 2 wickets in the 3-match T20I series in Colombo. His IPL form has earned him a place in India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup as well.
“Indian cricketers have found it difficult to read Varun Chakravarthy despite being very good players of spin bowling. Pakistan players have not even seen Varun bowling. And on these UAE wickets, which will get drier in the next one month, Pakistan players will find it difficult to deal with Varun,” Amit Mishra said while speaking at Salaam Cricket 2021 in Dubai.
“We got inspired from Bhajji Pa. We used to see him working very hard on the nets every day. Bhajji played for so long and we too have followed him. Actually, we got the fighting spirit from him so I would like to thank him,” Mishra further added.
