"Pakistan Over Dependent On Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan": Former India Batter On T20 World Cup Clash

07.10.2022 - 11:39 sports.ndtv.com

Cricket fans will be in for a treat when India take on Pakistan in a blockbuster clash at the T20 World Cup in Australia later this month.

Both teams will square off in a group game at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23. While comparing both teams ahead of the star-studded clash, former India batter Sanjay Bangar feels that the Rohit Sharma-led side is in a better position heading into the tournament.

Bangar also said that Pakistan are way too reliant on their openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. "Team India have had some good games against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and what the Indian team would be weighing up is that it is a more complete team, which is a team that is not dependent on just one or two individuals," Bangar said while speaking on Star Sports show 'Cricket Live'. "I feel, in the batting department, it's clear that Pakistan is over dependent on their top order like Babar and Rizwan.

Whereas the Indian team is not actually dependent on a couple of players. There are four or five match winners and they are in their prime form, so, from a batting perspective I feel the Indian team is in a better position," he said.

cricket India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team cup on Babar Azam Mohammad Rizwan Australia India Pakistan Lahore Sanjay

MELBOURNE: An unbeaten 82 from Virat Kohli led India to a stunning last-ball win over Pakistan to supercharge their bid for a first Twenty20 World Cup crown since 2007 in front of 90,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. The world number one Indians restricted their fierce rivals to 159-8 and scraped home by four wickets after a remarkable final over, with superstar Kohli the hero.

T20 World Cup: Middle order sorted, Pakistan eye second World Cup title

Sorting out a misfiring middle order was top of skipper Babar Azam's to-do list heading into a tri-series in New Zealand as the burden of scoring runs had fallen on him and vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan. Babar can now breathe a bit easier after Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali and Iftikhar Ahmed came good in New Zealand, where they beat the hosts in Friday's final.

Cricket-Middle order sorted, Pakistan eye second T20 World Cup title

(Reuters) - For a side used to tumultuous build-ups Pakistan look unusually settled ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia, where they launch their bid for a second title with a Super 12 showdown against arch-rivals India on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav retains no.2 spot in batters' list ahead of T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav will enter the T20 World Cup as the second best batter in the format following an update of the ICC Men's Player Rankings issued on Wednesday. Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan (861 rating points) has extended his lead at the top of the T20I batter rankings after yet another consistent showing during the tri-series in New Zealand, while Suryakumar (838) is still second ahead of the blockbuster clash between the two neighbours at the MCG on Sunday. KL Rahul (13), Virat Kohli (15) and skipper Rohit Sharma (16) are all static in the latest update.

"Tummies Visible": Ex-Pakistan Captain Lambasts Babar Azam-led Side's Fitness Level

Pakistan were given a wake-up call in their recent warm-up game against England on Monday ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup. They misfired in all departments and lost the match by six wickets. Though players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did not play the game, the Pakistan XI had stars like Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali among others. Pakistan managed to score 160/8 batting first, but England chased down the target in just 14.4 overs. They begin their 2022 T20 World Cup campaign against India and before that their fitness level has failed to impress Pakistan great Misbah-ul-Haq.

Watch: India Fan Wants To Bowl Leg-Spin To Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan Star Responds Ahead of T20 World Cup

The last time India faced Pakistan in a World Cup match, Mohammad Rizwan starred for the Babar Azam-led side. The wicketkeeper-opener top-scored with a 55-ball 79 as Pakistan chased down 152-run target with all wickets intact. It was Pakistan's first-ever win over India in a World Cup match. India and Pakistan meet again at the 2022 T20 World Cup on October 23 in Melbourne. It will be the opening match for both the teams, and Rizwan's role will be crucial in the tie. The Pakistan team has landed in Australia and its preparation is in full swing.