India will take on Colombo in a high-voltage T20 World Cup 2026 Group C match on Sunday (February 16) at the prestigious R. All set to face Pakistan at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. Before the match between India and Pakistan, Irfan Pathan has given a strict warning to Jasprit Bumrah.
Irfan Pathan sent a strong message to Jasprit Bumrah before the match between India and Pakistan.
The former Indian fast bowler wants Jasprit Bumrah to attack Sahibzada Farhan straight onto the stumps with full balls as the Pakistan opener has put in an impressive performance against the top Indian fast bowler.
Sahibzada hit three sixes against Bumrah in the T20I and scored 51 runs in just 34 balls. He scored against Bumrah at an excellent strike rate of 150 and the surprising thing is that the bowler has not been able to dismiss the Pakistani star yet.
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But Pathan feels the story may be different in Colombo. He wants Bumrah to go all out, drive Farhan and bring bowled and LBW into the game to achieve success.
There should be a plan to target the stumps: Irfan Pathan’s advice to Jasprit Bumrah
“Sahibzada Farhan has played Jasprit Bumrah well with a strike rate of 150. He stands quite upright. So, when the ball is between mid-thigh and stomach he plays the backfoot shot quite well with a horizontal bat,” Irfan Pathan said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
The cricket pundit further added, “How about we set a field and bowl him full balls into the stumps early on, inviting him to drive? If Jasprit Bumrah does that, he can definitely bowl out Sahibzada. Yes, his variations will come in handy, but the plan should be to target the stumps.”
Irfan Pathan told the master plan to trap Babar Azam!
Meanwhile, Pathan also shared his strategy to beat Babar Azam, who now bats in the middle order. He believes that India should not take easy singles and put early pressure on Babar.
The cricket pundit explained, “India should squeeze out singles. Just don’t let him take singles. Let him hit sweeps; keep that field empty. Keep the midwicket and cover fielders up.
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Let him hit fours in the beginning because that is not his strength. He played well in the last match, but this is a new role for him. I think our spinners will put pressure on him. As soon as Babar Azam comes to bat, bring in Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakraborty.
Irfan Pathan acknowledges Pakistan’s edge over Sri Lanka but backs India’s spin magic
Pathan admitted that Pakistan have a slight edge as they have already played two group matches in Sri Lanka in the tournament and are acclimatised to the temperature and humidity.
But their batting is not that strong and according to the former Indian World Cup winner, this is where India’s spin attack can cause big problems for them.
He said, “A batsman like Babar Azam is batting in the middle order. Imagine our spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowling together. Pakistan, who have all-rounders after No. 5, will have to play their bowling in the middle overs. It will not be easy.”
