 "Ex-Pakistan batter points out key worry for India captain Suryakumar Yadav ahead of Asia Cup: ’It remains an issue’")
India enter the Men’s Asia Cup next month as the strong favourites to win the T20 version of the event for the second time. And given how Pakistan are coming off a 202-run thrashing against West Indies in their most recent fixture after getting bundled out for 92, many an expert and fan would be backing the Men in Blue to go 2-0 over their arch-rivals , assuming both teams make it to the Super4s.
Some might even be expecting India to blank Pakistan 3-0 if the two teams progress all the way to the final. Then again, Pakistan is an unpredictable team and can beat the best of teams in the world on their day, their recent form notwithstanding.
According to former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan, there is one area that the Salman Agha-led side could exploit in the upcoming continental event to get the better of their fierce rivals. And that point of concern for the Indian team happens to be their talismanic captain Suryakumar Yadav, specifically his form against Pakistan.
“Suryakumar scores runs against almost everyone, but somehow, against Pakistan, he hasn’t been effective. Whether it is the pace attack or some other reason, it remains an issue,” Bazid was quoted by Pakistani sports broadcaster Geo Super as saying on a local TV show.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHow SKY has fared against Pakistan in the shortest format
Despite being among the most destructive batters in the T20 format in the current generation, Surya has scored just 64 runs in five T20I innings against Pakistan at an average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 118.51.
SKY, as he is popularly known, is yet to cross the fifty mark when it comes to facing the Men in Green. In fact, he hasn’t even crossed 20 – registering scores of 11, 18, 13, 15 and 7 in five T20I appearances across three T20 World Cups (2021, 2022 and 2024) and the 2022 Asia Cup, which had also taken place in the UAE.
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A along with Oman and UAE, and lock horns on 14 September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
