Facing Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be a challenge for Pakistan: Aaqib Javed

Team India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday, October 23. The encounter will kick-start the campaign for both teams and will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). 

Ahead of the all-important match, former Pakistan cricketer Aaqib Javed has issued a warning to the Men in Green to not take India's bowling unit lightly. To note, the Men in Blue are without their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. 

Javed emphasized the fact that Bumrah's absence will make a big impact on the Indian team. But he also added that other Indian pacers including Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will prove to be a difficult proposition for the Pakistan batters.

Bumrah's absence is a big loss for India but it won't make too much difference in Australian conditions: Aaqib Javed

“It’s a big loss (Bumrah’s absence for India) but won’t make too much difference in these conditions (Australian)," Javed said in a video shared by paktv.tv on their YouTube channel.

"Bumrah ends up making a difference even on flat pitches, where there’s little swing on offer with his yorkers and bouncers. Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Siraj are good seam bowlers. So Pakistan will have difficulties. Runs won’t come easy (for them)."

“Although Pakistan bowlers have the edge over their India (counterparts) but in these conditions, they won’t be that weak. Shami is a very good seam bowler, especially when the pitch offers a little help (as well). Even Siraj does well (in such conditions). Bhuvneshwar is one of the best in seaming conditions," he added.

Javed also went on to say that  Indian batters will face quite a tough challenge in facing the express pacer Shaheen Afridi in Australian conditions.

"The cricket season has just started in Australia. The pitches will be a bit soft. If you focus on length and swing then bowlers will get more out of them. The way Shaheen manages to get the ball to swing late makes these conditions ideal for him. Facing Shaheen, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf will be quite a challenge for Indian batters," added Javed.