‘Designed the same way’ – Ramiz Raja compares pace attack between India and Pakistan

India are fast becoming the best nation in cricket, on the back of their stupendous bowling attack which they displayed during the T20I series against New Zealand and in the third T20I in specific played on February 1, Wednesday, when they restricted the Black Caps to just 66 who were chasing a target of 235 on the day. 

With the emergence of Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Hardik Pandya and several other youngsters, team India are becoming a dangerous side with a great bowling attack although the key player Jasprit Bumrah is away from competitive cricket due to the injury that he sustained prior to the start of the 20-20 World Cup 2022. 

Taking cognizance of the same, the former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja opened up and compared the two bowling attacks, claiming that the Indian think tank might have taken a look at the Pakistani setup. Pointing out similarities between the two teams, Raja said that it was Pakistan who came up with such a setup at first. 

Umran Malik has pace just like Haris Rauf: Ramiz Raja

The PCB roped in Mickey Arthur as their new coach but in online mode, with the coach becoming the first of its kind. It remains to be seen if the pacers from Pakistan would shine under him, given that it was under Arthur’s coaching that the Men in Green won the Champions Trophy finals played in 2017 against India. 

“I often feel India took a look at Pakistan and designed their bowling attack the same way. Umran Malik has pace just like Haris Rauf, Arshdeep brings the left-arm angle like Shaheen Afridi. Wasim Jr. chips in during the middle-overs and so does Hardik Pandya, both have the same pace as well. Shivam Mavi also plays the role of a supporting bowler. India’s spin department is a bit better than Pakistan. I always look at what Pakistan need to improve whenever I see both sides playing,” Raja was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel as he compared the bowling attack of the rivals.