Michael Hussey reveals how India can tackle Pak's Fakhar Zaman threat in Asia Cup
Mumbai: Former Australian batsman Mike Hussey has advised Indian bowlers to take pace off the ball to tackle formidable opener Fakhar Zaman when India clashes with arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Dubai on September 19.
Zaman has become the sixth international batsman and the first Pakistani player to score a double hundred, smashing 210 off just 156 deliveries against Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI at Bulawayo. He also surpassed West Indies legend Viv Richards, becoming the quickest player to score 1,000 runs in ODIs.
En route to his double ton, Zaman also posted the highest individual score for Pakistan, bettering Saeed Anwar's 194 against India in 1997. Hussey, who played 79 Tests and 185 ODIs for Australia said it would take a very disciplined effort to outwit the in-form Zaman.
"So plans for India against Fakhar (Zaman) is got to be nice, tight line and length, be very disinclined and try and maintain that pressure, try and build up some pressure on him with some dot balls and make him go for the big shots earlier than what he wants to do," 43-year-old Hussey told PTI.
"I think change of pace could work against him because he goes hard at the ball, taking the pace off it (the ball) could be advantageous."
Hussey, a commentator with Star Sports for the Tamil Nadu Premier League, described the left-handed Zaman as an attacking batsman. Zaman had scored a match-winning hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy final last year against India.
"Fakhar Zaman from Pakistan, what great form he is been off late and who could forget his century in the ICC Champions Trophy (final) against India, not too long ago," he said. "Such an exciting player, very attacking, likes to score quickly, backs himself and plays with no fear and he is hard to bowl to, because he can score all-round the ground. The margin for error for the bowlers is very very small," added Hussey.
Hussey predicts that India and Pakistan will be favourites in the six-nation Asia Cup but said Afghanistan, who have confirmed their participation, can spring a surprise.
"Looking ahead towards the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are the favourites, both been playing some excellent ODI cricket and (are) quality ODI teams," he said.
"But the surprise package could be Afghanistan, any team with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb (Ur Rahman) in them, is not easy to beat, so keep an eye, so if they score enough runs, they are going to be hard to beat."
