Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Pakistan’s new-ball attack as the best in the game. Gavaskar’s comments come just ahead of the Super-4 stage clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, set to take place on September 10 at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup 2023 has been a showcase for Pakistan’s impressive fast-bowling prowess, with their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi (7 wickets), Naseem Shah (7 wickets), and Haris Rauf (9 wickets) leading the wicket-taking charts in the tournament.
Speaking to India Today’s Nikhil Naz, Gavaskar expressed his admiration for Pakistan’s formidable new-ball attack, stating that while Pakistan has always had world-class pacers, this current attack is the best in the game.
“At one point in time, it was Australia and Pakistan who probably shared the number 1 and number 2 spots, because Pakistan has always had top-class new-ball bowlers. But at this point in time, they have the most lethal new-ball attack in the game,” remarked Gavaskar.
Gavaskar emphasized the challenge that Pakistan’s pace attack poses to batsmen. With their left-arm, right-arm combination and the ability to move the ball both ways at significant pace, Pakistani pacers create a formidable early threat for opposition batsmen.
Gavaskar’s comments come in the wake of Pakistan’s impressive performance against India in the group stage of the Asia Cup 2023. In that encounter, Pakistan’s pacers managed to dismiss the Indian team for 266 runs, claiming all 10 wickets. However, the match ultimately ended in a no-result due to rain.
The upcoming Super-4 clash between India and Pakistan holds great significance for both teams, not only in terms of the Asia Cup but also as part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. Pakistan enters the game with two comprehensive victories, while India has had limited opportunities to showcase their skills, batting in just one and a half matches and bowling in a single game thus far.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the high-stakes showdown between these two arch-rivals, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Pakistan’s dynamic new-ball attack, which has the potential to make a decisive impact in the Super-4 stage and beyond.