Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah can take game away from Pakistan: Fawad Alam

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 8, 2024 21:19 IST

Pakistan all-rounder Fawad Alam believes Babar Azam's side must defeat Indian stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in their high-profile T20 World Cup match on Sunday to win and get their campaign back on track. While India started the tournament with an eight-wicket victory against Ireland, Pakistan was shocked to lose to co-hosts the United States in the Super Over. "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 in an interview. "As a team, India is well-balanced, and it will be really hard to get past them."

Alam, who played 19 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 24 T20Is for his country, believes left-arm bowler Mohammad Amir would need to produce a game-changing performance against India, akin to his burst against them in the Champions Trophy final in 2017. “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, allowing 18 runs, but Alam cautioned against dismissing the pacer.

"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, on the other hand, admitted that losing to the United States was not "acceptable" and that Pakistan would face pressure from 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's bowlers would do well against India, despite a lack of excellent spin alternatives. "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.

The left-arm spinner stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should have evaluated the drop-in pitch in New York well in advance in the competition. The surface at Nassau County Stadium has provided varied bounce for pacers, creating a threat to hitters' limbs. India's Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant were hit 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.