‘He can get Sahibzada out if...’ - Irfan Pathan's advice to Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Pakistan clash
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, who is famously known for hitting Bumrah for three sixes during the Asia Cup 2025, has scored 51 runs at a healthy strike-rate of 150 against the Indian pacer.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has offered few bowling tips to speedster Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the India vs Pakistan Group-A encounter in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The highly anticipated contest will take place at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan, who is famously known for hitting Bumrah for three sixes during the Asia Cup 2025, has scored 51 runs at a healthy strike-rate of 150 against the Indian pacer. Now, Pathan offered some advice regarding what Bumrah could bowl to Farhan.
"Sahibzada Farhan has played Jasprit Bumrah well with a strike rate of 150. He stands quite upright. So, he plays the backfoot shot with the horizontal bat quite well when the ball is between the mid-thigh and stomach,” said Irfan on his YouTube channel.
"How about we set a field and bowl him full deliveries into the stumps at the start, inviting him to drive. If Bumrah does this, he can surely get Sahibzada out. Yes, his variations will come in handy, but the plan should be to target the stumps," he continued.
Sahibzada Farhan will be Pakistan’s crucial player against India due to his attacking game. He recently scored a match-winning 73 runs against USA and will hope to carry that form forward.
'Just don't let him take a single' - Irfan Pathan on how to tackle Babar Azam
Pathan further outlined how team India bowlers should bowl to Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam. The former all-rounder urged India to use spinners against Babar as he is still finding his feet in middle-order.
"India should squeeze the singles. Just don't let him take a single. Let him hit the sweep; keep that area empty. Keep the midwicket and cover fielders up. Let him hit a boundary at the start because that is not his strength. He played well in the last match, but this is a new role for him. I think our spinners will put the squeeze on him. Bring in Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy as soon as Babar Azam comes to bat," he concluded.
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