Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has stated that Pakistan captain Babar Azam is a seriously good player and that India will have to bowl well against him in their upcoming Asia Cup clash as well as the World Cup. He, however, added that India have a good bowling line-up that can test him. Notably, India and Pakistan will take on each other in the Group A clash of Asia Cup 2023 in Pallekele on Saturday as well. They could also play against each other in the Super Fours depending on qualification as well.
In a video on Star Sports, Ganguly said, “He is a good player; there is no doubt about it. They [India] will have to bowl at him [during the World Cup]. Before that, they will have to bowl at him in the Asia Cup. India will have plans for him, we have a good bowling attack. [Jasprit] Bumrah, [Mohammed] Shami, [Mohammed] Siraj is a serious fast bowling attack. Babar will also have to bat well to score runs against them because he knows they are up against a good fast-bowling attack. India will have to bowl well to Babar Azam and vice-versa.”
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However, Babar Azam started his Asia Cup 2023 campaign by smashing 151 off 131 balls in the tournament opener against Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday as well. He hit 14 fours and four sixes, also involved in a 214-run stand for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed (109* off 71 balls).
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Sharing his thoughts on Pakistan’s bowling, Ganguly stated that they too have a solid fast bowling line-up, which India will have to be wary of. “Pakistan has got a very good bowling attack – Naseem [Shah, [Shaheen] Afridi and Haris Rauf. They are a good fast bowling attack just like India. So they are a good bowling attack as well and India will have to bat well against them,” he concluded.
