IND vs PAK: Not Shaheen Shah Afridi Or Haris Rauf!! Sunil Gavaskar Names Pakistan Bowler Who Will Be More Threatening

Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar believes that Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah could be the biggest threat to India in the upcoming Super Clash of the Asia Cup 2023. Sunil Gavaskar said that Naseem Shah had posed challenges for Indian batters in their previous encounter.

Naseem Shah picked up three wickets for 36 runs against India in a rain-curtailed encounter in Pallekele on September 2. The right-arm pacer bowled brilliantly with the new ball but wasn’t rewarded. He grabbed the last three scalps to bowl out the opposition for 266 runs.

Naseem Shah’s Out-Swingers Were Brilliant – Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking ahead of the India-Pakistan clash, Sunil Gavaskar lauded Naseem Shah for his impressive bowling in the group-stage encounter against India. He emphasized that the focus was on Shaheen Afridi as he dismissed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the match.

“If you looked at those 10 overs, you must have noticed the way Naseem Shah bowled. His out-swingers were brilliant, playing him was pretty difficult,” Gavaskar said in a joint broadcast from Sports Tak and Samaa TV.

“Shaheen Afridi did take two wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, so focus was on him. But the way Naseem bowled, that was terrific. Shubman Gill was playing majorly against him, and he was leaving him well,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi ended with bowling figures of 4/35 in his 10-over quota. The left-arm pacer dismissed Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in his final spell. Haris Rauf also picked up three wickets but was a little bit expensive.

Shubman Gill Isn’t In The Best Form – Sunil Gavaskar

The former Indian opener emphasized the importance of Shubman Gill taking responsibility, saying that he has the potential to make up for a slow start with his shot-making abilities.

“If batters keep getting out at other end, it’s important to stick around. Shubman isn’t in the best form right now, so he knows he has to take responsibility,” said Gavaskar further.

“This was a 50-over game after all. He has the shots to make up for slow start. I guess that’s why he was watchful, and a bit nervous. But Naseem Shah kept Shubman Gill quiet,” he concluded.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will take on the Babar Azam-led team in their first Super Four stage match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 10.

Also read: Asia Cup 2023: Why Super 4 Matches Didn’t Shift Out Of Colombo Despite Rain Threat Sunil Gavaskar Calls For ‘Real Story’