Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes that the Pakistan team has a more potent fast-bowling attack than India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The Men in Green pacers were exceptional against the Rohit Sharma-led side in the group stage fixture of the continental event, as they bagged wickets consistently in the high-octane encounter though marred by inclement weather on Saturday.
Experts are of the view that the Babar Azam-led side has one of the best fast bowling units in the world in the white-ball format of the game. The pacers have the ability to make a difference in any given conditions.
The Men in Green pacers played an important role in the team’s progress in recent years and they will look to continue their fine form going into the remaining games of Asia Cup 2023 followed by the ODI World Cup 2023.
Speaking to the Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik hailed the Pakistan speedster for bowling consistently at such a high pace and highlighted the difference in their bowling, where Shaheen can bring the ball back into the batters and asserted that Naseem Shah can swing the ball in both ways, while Haris Rauf strength lies in his ability to bowl in the death overs coupled with his deadly bouncers.
“Shaheen, Haris Rauf, and Naseem can bowl 90+ consistently and all three are very different in nature,” Dinesh Karthik said.
“Shaheen Shah obviously the left-armer, has an angle to it and brings the ball back in, Naseem Shah swings the ball both ways, Haris is arguably one of the best bowlers right now at the back end of an inning because of his skid and the nasty bouncer that he’s got,” Dinesh Karthik added.
Shaheen Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan in the opening encounter against India picking up the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja at the crucial juncture of the game.
Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah bowled equally well by picking 3 wickets each in the game.
Pakistani Bowlers Are A Far More Potent Attacks On Flat Wickets – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik feels that the Pakistan bowlers are more potent on the flat wickets as they have enough variations in their arsenal to rattle the high-quality batters. He asserted that both India and Pakistan bowlers would be equally lethal if the pitch offered something to bowlers.
“For me, they (Pakistani bowlers) are a far more potent attack on flat wickets. If there is something in the pitch, then both attacks at all times become very equal, but if I had to play an attack, I have a feeling,” Dinesh Karthik further added.
Pakistan have qualified for the Super 4 stage of the tournament. They have secured three points from the two games, while India will be up against Nepal in the second game of the continental event and a win against Nepal would help the Rohit Sharma-led side to qualify for the next stage of the event.