Former Pakistan skipper, Wasim Akram has urged the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma to have a word with his fast bowlers and make his intentions clear, stating the pacers need to execute their plans well to serve their purpose in the squad. He took Avesh Khan as an example, highlighting how the quick was not bowling at his usual rapid pace as required by the team. After a decent performance in the group stages, the Indian pacers failed to defend scores in the Super Four phase against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
A major cause behind the slump was Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the squad as he is still recovering from injury but is expected to be back before the T20 World Cup Down Under in October. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been largely exceptional, he even had witnessed off days in the tournament while Arshdeep Singh failed to remain economical on the big stage.
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During a chat on Star Sports, Wasim Akram said, “My question is how will you find, how will you replace bowlers, just 3-4 games before the World Cup?”
As for Avesh Khan, he conceded 53 runs in his four overs while managing to take just one wicket. Khan has been a regular fixture of the lineup since the T20 World Cup last year but his average reads a dismal 32.46 after 15 T20Is with an even worse economy rate of 9.10.
Elaborating the same, Wasim Akrams aid, “If I was Rohit Sharma, I will tell Avesh Khan that Avesh, I want you to bowl 140+, if you cannot bowl, please tell me. I don’t want any 135 line and length bowlers. His sole purpose is to bowl quickly, and if he cannot do that what is the point of having him on the team? That’s why I want the skipper of India to have a word with his fast bowlers.”
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India will play its final encounter in the Asia Cup’s 15th edition against Afghanistan on Thursday, before heading home to host Australia and South Africa in successive three-match T20I series just ahead of the ICC marquee event next month.
