‘The bowler to be wary of on Sunday, isn’t Shaheen’- Aakash Chopra warns India of unsuspected danger

The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match of the 20-20 World Cup is fast approaching. With just three days left, the preparations for the mega event have been going on at full tilt. India has played three warm-up games so far while Pakistan played one against England.

Both teams are well-matched, going into the much-awaited match. With Pakistan having won a Super Four match in the Asia Cup 2022, the game looks to be slightly titled in their favour. The addition of Shaheen Afridi back into the Pakistan side and Jasprit Bumrah having been ruled out from India has put Men on a slight backfoot. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has come up and shed light on another challenge that is bigger for India than facing Afridi.

In a recent Twitter post, Aakash Chopra wrote, “But I do feel the bowler to be wary of on Sunday isn’t Shaheen. It’s Haris Rauf. Afridi is getting close to his best but isn’t there yet… and unlikely to be by the 23^rd either. Rauf will bowl the tougher overs and has the potential to make a difference.”

Haris Rauf has been sensational for Pakistan in the past couple of months. He was instrumental in Pakistan’s Asia Cup run to the final. In the recently concluded tri-series in New Zealand, he took 6 wickets in 3 matches as well. Capable of bowling over 150kmph, the right-arm bowler could create havoc at the Indian batting lineup when they meet on October 23^rd.

Shaheen Afridi is among the most feared bowlers for India given his past performance against the 2007 World Cup winners. The left-arm pacer took three wickets in the 20-20 World Cup in 2021, sending the trio of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli packing and subjecting India to a 10-wicket loss.

India vs Pakistan 20-20 match however is in danger of being washed out as the weather report for the day shows rain showers in Melbourne. Heavy rain has been going on in the Australian state of Victoria for the past couple of weeks.