World Cup winner believes India openers can tackle Pakistan pace threat

The reverse fixture between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 will be played on September 10. In the previous game, the Indian top-order struggled badly against the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. The former took the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. On the other hand, Rauf took the wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill.

The Men in Blue were rescued by the likes of Isha Kishan and Hardik Pandya and helped them reach 266 all-out. The match had no result as Pakistan couldn't bat due to rain. Meanwhile, ahead of the Super Four game between both teams, the 2007 T20 World Cup winner, Robin Uthhapa has shown faith in Indian openers, Sharma and Gill to tackle the Pakistan pace trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.

"It was a very flat track and the Pakistani trio Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah bowled incredibly well to pick up wickets there. Their fast bowling is absolutely top-class. They didn’t even let Bangladesh reach a target of 200 in an absolute road like surface,” said Chopra while hosting JioCinema’s daily sports show #AAKASHVANI.

If Pakistan bowlers have pace, Indian openers can utilize it: Robin Uthhapa

Before Uthhapa, Abhishek Nayar also spoke the same lines.

"If they have pace, we have batsmen who can utilize that pace. We have seen how Virat Kohli batted in the World Cup. I don't think anyone has an upper hand; both teams are very good. But we all know that under pressure, India has always performed better, and I expect the same in the near future," Nayar said.

Robin Uthappa also agreed with Nayar. "Well, they do have some quick and skilled bowlers, and Shaheen Shah Afridi has been in amazing form recently. Haris Rauf is also performing well. That being said, I believe we have batters in our team who are capable of handling all of them.”