In this December 15, 2012, file photo, new batting consultant Inzamam-ul-Haq guides Pakistan team members (from left) Umar Akmal, Mohammed Hafeez and Kamran Akmal in a training camp in Lahore. Hafeez is leading Pakistan’s T20 side in India where they play the hosts in the first match of the series in Bengaluru today. RIGHT: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays football with team-mates during a training session in Bengaluru.
BENGALURU: India lacks bite in the bowling department, a concern that could hurt the home team, Pakistan’s fast bowler Sohail Tanvir said ahead of today’s opening T20 clash between the two sides.
India are going with youngsters Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Parvinder Awana and Shami Ahmed in the limited overs cricket series.
The most experienced pacer in the squad – Ishant Sharma – hasn’t played an international one-day match since June 2011.
“India’s current fast bowlers are not much experienced. Although they have played in the IPL, international cricket is different,” Tanvir said as the teams trained at M Chinaswamy Stadium.
“Right now, India doesn’t have a fixed pace attack. They’re still trying to form a right attack by picking and choosing from the young pacers. They’re not sure who to play in the next match. It is an advantage for us that they are lacking in the fast bowling department,” Tanvir added.
Tanvir is expected to partner seasoned pacer Umar Gul along with reliable off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
Pakistan have two seasoned limited-overs specialists who have the wherewithal and the experience to succeed in India.
What also elevates Tanvir’s confidence coming into this series are his past performances on Indian soil.
Left-arm Tanvir announced himself to the world in IPL 2008 while playing for the Rajasthan Royals; he emerged the tournament’s highest wicket-taker that season.
“Fortunately, I have always done well in India. I bowled well the last time we toured here, in 2007 and I had a lot of success in the IPL as well. The wickets in India and Pakistan are almost similar to each other and having played a lot of cricket here will definitely help as well,” the pacer said.
With experience behind him, Tanvir has an added responsibility of playing mentor to the young pacers in the team, and as a senior to guide the players who are touring India for the first time.
“India-Pakistan is always a pressure contest and it’s more than cricket. We have been talking to the younger guys,” Tanvir said in a report posted on the BCCI website.
“They all know that performing well against India makes you an instant star. They’re all talented and we’re hoping they will deliver.” Tanvir refused to read too much into India’s recent struggles against England and denied the hosts will be lacking in confidence. He believes that form takes a backseat when India and Pakistan lock horns on the cricket field.
“When India and Pakistan play each other, form doesn’t matter and passion takes over. That’s the reason the contests between these two countries are invariably very exciting,” he noted.agencies
