By Sudipta Biswas

Copyright timesnownews

India and Pakistan are set to take on each other in the Super Four of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. Ahead of the big clash, Pakistan, who lost to India in a Group A fixture earlier, are leaving no stone unturned. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired psychologist Dr. Raheel Karim to help the players cope with the pressure of the India-Pakistan match. While dealing with mental pressure is one aspect, Pakistan have other things to worry about. Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has been the team’s main attacking batter against the new ball in the ongoing Asia Cup. Abhishek has faced 44 balls across three games and scored 99 runs at a strike rate of 225. In the last India-Pakistan clash, the Indian batter dispatched Shaheen Afridi for a boundary off the first ball before lofting the next for a six over the off side. So, the question is: how should Pakistan tackle him? Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was impressed with Abhishek’s batting but also suggested two ways to get rid of him. “The kind of starts he gives relaxes the team, takes the pressure off the rest of the batsmen. The best thing about him is that he is good against all types of bowling – pace or spin. Also, off side and on side, he plays everywhere. He can hit boundaries anywhere,” Misbah told PTV Sports. Misbah also compared Abhishek with Rohit Sharma and said the batter has the same impact as Rohit. “You have to take the chance to get him out, you can’t think let us try giving less runs (yeh over nikaal-wa loon) but with that you will get trapped. If you take his wicket, you can put pressure on India by taking out their main weapon. Like when you used to remove Rohit Sharma and the impact he used to have. So it’s mighty important for Pakistan to get him out,” said Misbah. Suggesting how to bowl to Abhishek, he said, “You have to bowl at the stumps at him, get the ball to come in to him a bit from a good length. That’s the only chance to dismiss him.” Misbah also suggested that if the pitch helps the spinners, Pakistan should play an off-spinner like Saim Ayub. “Or try an off-spinner, if the pitch is like that where the ball is getting stuck. Like Saim Ayub.”