DUBAI: Yuzvendra Chahal credited the pacers for building pressure on the opposition while Sarfraz Ahmed rued dropped catches and conceded to there being a mismatch in skill levels between the sides.
India’s victory against Pakistan in their second Super Four game in Dubai followed a tone similar to their previous two victories.
While Pakistan bettered the 163 they scored the last time they faced India, in the group stage, they could not capitalise on the position of strength they were 165/3 at one stage with both Ahmed and Shoaib Malik set at the crease but stuttered towards the end of the innings.
In both games, India picked up wickets with the new ball and had the opposition’s top three back in the pavilion for not many before the first drinks break. If it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the first game, Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav did the damage on Sunday by dismissing both Pakistani openers, an ICC report on Monday said.
Chahal, who finished with 2/46 from nine overs, credited the fast bowlers for building enough pressure in the first few overs, thereby helping the spinners to bowl according to their plans.
“The new-ball bowlers usually bowl seven to eight overs before we spinners come into the attack, and the pressure they build on the batsmen with the new ball they concede not more than 20-25 runs helps us plan our line of attack as to where to bowl to maintain that pressure,” Chahal explained after the match.
“Because if you don’t give away boundaries in this format, the batsmen will inevitably be under pressure.” he said. (UNI)
