Not Babar Azam!! India Warned Of This Pakistan Batter By Former Spinner In Champions Trophy

The former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, has warned Rohit Sharma’s army to be cautious about a few players for their upcoming clash against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium.

In this event’s history, the green brigade has a better record than the blue brigade, with a margin of 3-2. The two victories for the 2013 Champions Trophy winner came in the 2013 season and during the group stage of the 2017 edition.

Harbhajan Singh warns India of this Pakistan batter

The former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh, has suggested the Rohit Sharma-led side be a little attentive for Fakhar, who has the experience of taking the game away from the blue brigade. The southpaw bats in an aggressive manner with a flurry of boundaries.

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Fakhar has overall smashed 3627 runs in 84 ODI innings at an average of 46.50 and a strike rate of 94.23, shouldering on 11 centuries and 17 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 210 runs against Zimbabwe. Against India, the southpaw has clubbed 234 runs in five innings at an average of 46.80, thanks to a special 114-run knock that came during the 2017 Champions Trophy.

However, Zaman has been out of the national side for a long time and missed their last three 50-over series against Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. But he thumped 125 runs in the three innings of the tri-series against New Zealand and the Proteas at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 120.54, with the help of one fifty.

Contrasting ODI form for India and Pakistan before Champions Trophy

India is coming from a fabulous preparation in the three-match ODI series against England, where they cracked a clean sweep victory over the Jos Buttler-led side with some fabulous batting and bowling performance. Captain Rohit made a fine century during the second encounter at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

The young opening batter, Shubman Gill, smashed a couple of half-centuries in the first two games in Nagpur and Cuttack, while he celebrated a fabulous century during the third fixture at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli also enjoyed his time in the middle for a fifty-run knock.

Harshit Rana, who came into the squad in place of injured Jasprit Bumrah, had a decent time in the series, while the spinners enjoyed the condition and can contribute immensely in the mega event. Varun Chakravarthy gets into the side by replacing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.

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In contrast, Pakistan picked up just one win in their last three games in the recent few years. Their batting hasn’t clicked, as pressure has been so much on the opening batter, Babar Azam. The Mohammad Rizwan-led side’s bowling is underwhelming, and they don’t have quality spinners in the side to maintain the run rate in the middle overs.

India to meet Pakistan on February 23

Rohit Sharma’s army will begin the campaign on February 20, against Bangladesh, at the Dubai International Stadium, the day after Pakistan begins the event against the Blackcaps at the National Stadium in Karachi.

The two teams will meet each other on February 23 in Dubai before India faces the Kiwis in their last league clash on March 02 at the same venue. Pakistan, however, will fly to Rawalpindi for the final group-stage encounter against Bangladesh. One of these two arch-rivals will qualify for the semifinal of the event.