Sunil Gavaskar, a former Indian opener, praised the Pakistan fast bowling unit for their remarkable performance in the Asia Cup 2023, where they combined to take 23 wickets in the first three games. Pakistan continues to produce some of the finest fast-bowling talent in the country, as they played an important role in the team’s progress in the white-ball format of the game.
Shaheen Afridi was Pakistan’s star bowler in the opening match against archrival India, taking the important wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja at the crucial moment of the game. Both Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf bowled effectively, taking three wickets each in the contest and they were equally impressive in the Super 4 game against Bangladesh in their final home game of the Asia Cup.
Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar hailed Pakistan’s pace bowling unit as one of the world’s best fast bowling units in the world because they possess a deadly new-ball attack in white-ball cricket. He also highlighted that the team has a left-right bowling combination with the ability to move the ball in both directions, making it difficult for batters to get going against them early in an innings.
“At one point in time, it was Australia and Pakistan probably shared that number 1 and number 2 spot because Pakistan have always had top-class new-ball bowlers. But at this point in time, they have the most lethal new-ball attack in the game.
“They have a left-arm, right-arm combination. They can move the ball both ways at a good pace. So, it’s not easy for any batter to get aggressive against them from the word go,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, a pace trio of Pakistan have taken a combined total of 23 wickets in this edition of the continental event and are the top three wicket-takers in this Asia Cup. Haris tops the list with nine taken wickets, followed by Shaheen and Naseem with seven each.
Pakistan pacers have the ability to bowl at a high pace consistently, making it difficult for the batters to adjust against them. The pace bowling trio of Pakistan helped the Men in Green to produce some remarkable performances in ODI cricket of the game in recent times, and they will be crucial for the team’s chances in the Asia Cup 2023 followed by an ODI World Cup in India.