'Pressure on Pakistan': PAK all-rounder warns Babar-led side about Virat Kohli-Jasprit Bumrah threat

Pakistan all-rounder Fawad Alam stated that for Babar Azam’s side to secure a win and get their campaign back on track in their high-profile T20 World Cup match on Sunday, they will need to neutralize Indian stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. While India began the tournament with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Ireland, Pakistan unexpectedly lost to co-hosts USA in the Super Over.

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Pakistan wary of the threat Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will pose

“Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will make an impact for India in the game because of their experience and also the quality of both of them. They can easily take the game away from Pakistan,” Alam told PTI videos in an interview.

“As a team, India is well-balanced, and it will be really hard to get past them.” Alam, who has represented his country in 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, emphasized that left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir needs to deliver a game-changing performance against India, reminiscent of his impressive spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

“I feel Mohammad Amir will redeem himself and give a match-winning performance against India alongside captain Babar who has had a pretty decent record against them,” said Alam, whose last T20I for Pakistan came back in 2010.

Amir had an ordinary Super Over against the USA, conceding 18 runs, but Alam warned against writing the pacer off.

“Based on that super over, you can't blame Amir. He is not the same bowler as he was four years back.

“He has been playing cricket in different leagues and is still Pakistan's best and most experienced bowler,” he added.

Alam, however, accepted that losing to the USA was not “acceptable” and Pakistan would feel pressure against India.

“Pakistan losing to the USA is very shocking. The USA is playing in their first World Cup, so it is not acceptable at all.

“Now the pressure is on Pakistan in the game against India. All I can hope is for a good game of cricket,” he said.

Alam hoped that Pakistan bowling would come good against India, despite lacking good spin options.

“Imad Wasim's injury has come as a shock. Shadab is completely out of form with the ball in his hand. Pakistan is clearly lagging in bowling, especially in the spin department.

“India has Bumrah, (Mohammad) Siraj, and Kuldeep (Yadav) who can pose a threat. But if Pakistan bowling clicks in the improved conditions as claimed by ICC then we may witness them having an edge over India,” he noted.

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Comment on the Nassau County pitch

The left-arm spinner remarked that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should have inspected the drop-in pitch in New York well before the tournament began.

The pitch at Nassau County Stadium has exhibited variable bounce for pacers, often posing a threat to batters' limbs. India's Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant sustained hits during their match against Ireland.

“If the wickets are well-prepared in Dallas and Florida then why didn't you host the games there? Now, you are trying to cover up but what about those teams who have already played their games and lost those matches? Who is responsible for that?” he said. 

(With inputs from PTI)