Playing only five T20s since the last edition of the tournament and the lack of exposure for the Indian fast bowlers before going in to the all important match against Pakistan, Indian skipper MS Dhoni is looking up to his fast bowlers to deliver. While the Pakistan skipper will be relying on his all-rounders – of which they have four – to give an added advantage for his side.
“If you talk about international T20s, our fast bowlers have not played much. But they have spent a lot of time in the IPL where the conditions are a bit similar so I think to some extent that will help. Overall when it comes to contribution, we would want to bowl well with the new ball. If we can get one-two wickets with the new ball, it is considered a good start,” said Dhoni.
With Pakistan having a few all rounders, the 32 year old added that any side having with such a line up would be difficult for the opposition.
“The more all-rounders you have the more difficult it becomes for the opposition. The reason being if you have players who players can bat and bowl, and if they are proper all-rounders - they may be spinning or fast bowling all-rounders - still they add to the strength of the team which means you have the option of playing with more than five bowlers if you want to, and still have the same batting and bowling strength. It always adds on. I feel some of the sides are blessed when it comes to having all rounders who can bat and bowl,” he said.
Dhoni praised fast bowler Umar Gul and spinner Saeed Ajmal and informed that both the bowlers are good at the death and haveconsistently performed well for Pakistan.
However, the Indian skipper who had some controversial allegations regarding match fixings recently, informed being part of an Indian team means that there are plenty of things that go around and the skipper only looks to focus on his game.
“What is happening around me? Tell me. You have to keep your focus. Especially when you are part of the Indian cricket team, there are plenty of things that go around you, so irrespective of whether you are doing well or not so well on the field, so I think it is a big part and parcel of Indian cricket. I think most of the players are quite used to it,” said Dhoni.
On the other hand Pakistan skipper Mohammed Hafeez informed that they are not looking at the stats and looking forward to give their best, “We don’t want to look at the stats, what happened in past is something we can’t change and looking forward to give our best,” said Hafeez.
Shahid Afridi, who was the hero against India in the Asia Cup, hitting two sixes in the last over of the match to clinch a superb win, will play a vital role said Hafeez. “I think he is in a good form and it is always an advantage. No doubt he will play a vital role and he is in a good frame of mind and as a senior player you will always want him to see in action and he is ready for the challenges and look up for it,” he said.
Meanwhile both skippers said that the India-Pakistan battle has always been intense and competitive and they are looking forward to get the upper hand by winning the first match of the tournament.
