IND vs PAK: Not Rohit Sharma!! Kamran Akmal labels this Indian batsman the 2nd most dangerous after Virat Kohli

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal made a bold statement about Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav ahead of the match between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. Kamran Akmal stated that Suryakumar Yadav is yet to deliver with the bat against Pakistan in international cricket.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will lock horns with the Pakistan team in the 19th match of the World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. The Men in Blue will boost their chances to reach the Super Eight stages of the tournament if they register a win against Pakistan.

Suryakumar Yadav scored just two runs off four balls against Ireland in India's World Cup opener, where the Men in Blue secured a comfortable eight-wicket victory. The right-handed batter has scored just 57 runs in four T20I matches against Pakistan at a disappointing average of 14.25 and a strike rate of 123.91.

Suryakumar Yadav Hasn't Scored Big Runs Against Pakistan - Kamran Akmal

Speaking to Times of India, Kamran Akmal said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have proven themselves against Pakistan with their performances in ICC tournaments. Akmal said that Suryakumar Yadav has struggled against Pakistan despite his top rank in T20Is.

"Virat Kohli is on top. Second is Suryakumar Yadav. His performance against Pakistan is yet to come, but I will still pick him. Rohit Sharma has already proved himself and has scored runs against Pakistan in ICC events, and now it is Suryakumar Yadav's turn. If he is No. 1, then he should come and score against Pakistan."

"He hasn't scored big runs against Pakistan whenever he has come to bat. However, he has scored a lot of runs against other teams. He is a classy player and a 360-degree player. It is a treat to watch him bat. He has cemented his place in a very short period of time," Akmal said.

Suryakumar Yadav will face challenges from Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah on a pace-bowling-friendly pitch in New York. The highly anticipated match is likely to be played on the pitch used for the match between the Netherlands and South Africa on Saturday.

There Is No Match For Jasprit Bumrah - Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal expressed admiration for Jasprit Bumrah's bowling prowess, stating that there is no match for him. The former opener stated that Kuldeep Yadav can trouble the Pakistan batters, adding that Pakistan should hope he doesn't play.

"In bowling, there is no match for Bumrah. Be it T20s, ODIs, or Tests, he will come and relish the format and conditions. If he is sleeping and you wake him up to bowl, he can still take wickets. Such a classy player he is. I am really happy to see Yuzvendra Chahal back. More than Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav can put Pakistan under pressure and create a lot of trouble for them. Pakistan needs to beware of Kuldeep. They should hope he doesn't play," Akmal added.

Kuldeep Yadav was benched for the first match against Ireland. The Indian team management preferred two left-arm finger spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, for the match. The Indian team is expected to pick the left-arm wrist spinner for the high-octane match against Pakistan.

Also read: IND vs PAK: Rishabh Pant sends Rohit Sharma into guilt trip, says he would have done this in WC Final vs Australia