"Don't Look To Survive": Gautam Gambhir To Team India On Facing Shaheen Afridi

14.10.2022 - 06:29 sports.ndtv.com

India start their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign against Pakistan in Melbourne on October 23. While India have been dented with injuries to top players, Pakistan have been bolstered by the return of Shaheen Afridi, who was out for a lengthy duration due to injury and subsequent rehabilitation.

The left-arm pacer has often proved quite a handful for the Indian top-order in the past. While his match fitness will be assessed in the coming days, if he gets fit in time for the India game, he might prove to be a tricky customer.

Former India opening batter Gautam Gambhir spoke on how the Indian batters should try and keep Shaheen at bay. "When it comes to Shaheen Afridi, don't look to survive.

Look to score runs from him. Because the moment you look to survive, everything becomes really small. Whether it's your backlift, whether it's your footwork, and obviously, in T20 cricket you can't look to survive," Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports. "I know that he can be dangerous with the new ball, but again, irrespective, the Indian batters need to score more runs, get into better positions, and look to time the balls rather than to hit it.

cricket on Virat Kohli Shaheen Afridi Gautam Gambhir Star Sports Shaheen Shah Afridi India Pakistan

All eyes will be on Team India when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of T20 World Cup Super 12 stage on Sunday in Melbourne. Since arriving in Australia earlier this month, the Rohit Sharma-led side has played two practice matches, in Perth, and two warm-up games, in Brisbane. India defeated Australia in their first warm-up match, while their second game against New Zealand was washed out due to rain. With India set to face Pakistan on Sunday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India shared a video of the team's journey from Brisbane to Melbourne.

Shaheen Afridi and Lockie Ferguson lead five bowlers who can spell doom for batters at T20 World Cup

The famous punch line “Pace is Pace Yaar” was born after Wahab's over and its loose English translation would mean real pace is the real deal. As we move towards the main round of T20 World Cup at the business end of the Australian winter, pace will rule the roost; although on slightly slower tracks, fuller lengths will be equally important. While spinners are expected to play a key role on the Australian tracks despite the soggy weather, those with scary pace will provide an x-factor as there would still be enough bounce. The PTI looks at five bowlers, who have the ability to make a difference for their respective teams. With no Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian line-up, the ‘Men In Blue' are missing a trick.

Shaheen Afridi's Yorker Hits Afghanistan Star Rahmanullah Gurbaz's Left Foot. His Team Doctor Says This

Shaheen Afridi was all fired up in Pakistan's warm-up match against Afghanistan on Wednesday. Though the match had to be abandoned due to rain in Brisbane, Shaheen scalped the wickets of Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai. Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Gurbaz was hit on the left foot by Shaheen's inswinging yorker. He was given some medical attention and was carried off the pitch. Gurbaz was later seen wearing a protective boot on his left foot. He was sent to hospitals to get his scans done.

"Kabhi Mujhe Aise Bhi Dekho": Shadab Khan's Cheeky Tweet For Shaheen Afridi Makes Fans ROFL

Pakistan cricket team received a big boost from the return of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to the team ahead of the start of T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 round. Playing his first game after the long injury layoff, Shaheen looked on song right from the start as he bamboozled the Afghanistan batters with his pace and swing in the warm-up match. Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan, welcoming Shaheen back to the team, posted a cheeky tweet on social media that has sent fans into a hysteria.

India Vs Pakistan: Not Shaheen Afridi, Ex-India Cricketer Picks Bowler Rohit Sharma & Co. 'Need To Be Wary Of'

The countdown for the India vs Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12s has begun. Though there remains a few weather-related concerns over the match in Melbourne on Sunday, both teams are preparing in the best manner possible for the highly-anticipated battle. For the Indian team, the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi is a big development but former cricketer Aakash Chopra doesn't feel he is the bowler Rohit Sharma & Co. need to be wary of.

Watch: Shaheen Afridi sends signal with toe-crushing yorker before rain plays spoilsport

The afternoon India v New Zealand and South Africa v Bangladesh matches were abandoned without a ball being bowled but 2009 champions Pakistan would be happy even if rain halted their victory charge against Afghanistan earlier in the day. Afridi, returning from a knee injury, sent an ominous signal to the batters who have converged in Australia bowling four overs at full tilt to claim two wickets for 29 runs.