Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul has shared an important advice to Shaheen Shah Afridi and co ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021 clash against arch rivals India in Dubai. According to Gul, key for Pakistan will be to see the back of India captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma early. Both India and Pakistan will kickstart their campaign facing each other on October 24.
India boasts of an impeccable record against Pakistan in ICC event. The Men in Blue has registered 12 wins against their biggest rivals without losing once. However, India lost the Champions Trophy final 2017 against Pakistan by a whopping 180 runs. The last time the two teams faced each other in an ICC event was in the 2019 World Cup in England where Virat and his team defeated Pakistan by 89 runs in a rain marred contest at Old Trafford.
“India have worked really hard on their team and realistically, they are very strong. The IPL has benefitted them and given them several players. If you have to look at their batting, then Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the main players. They are a part of India’s top order. Get them out and India will be under pressure. If in the Powerplay, Pakistan can dismiss 2-3 of their top order batsmen, then it will be tough for the rest of the batsmen,” Gul told in an interview to Cricket Pakistan.
Gul sounded confident in Babar Azam’s team to qualify for the last four stages.
“Our team has the potential to qualify for the final four, especially because the matches are being played in UAE as the conditions will suit us [Pakistan],” he said.