‘Take pace off to tackle Zaman’

Former Australian batsman Mike Hussey has advised Indian bowlers to take pace off the ball to tackle formidable opener Fakhar Zaman when India clashes with arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Dubai on September 19.

On a roll, Zaman has became the sixth international batsman and the first Pakistani player to score a double hundred, smashing 210 off just 156 deliveries against Zimbabwe in the fourth ODI at Bulawayo.

He also surpassed West Indies legend Viv Richards, becoming the quickest player to score 1,000 runs in ODIs.

En route to his double ton, Zaman also posted the highest individual score for Pakistan, bettering Saeed Anwar's 194 against India in 1997.

Hussey, who played 79 Tests and 185 ODIs, said it would take a very disciplined effort to outwit the in-form Zaman.

"So plans for India against Fakhar (Zaman) is got to be nice, tight line and length, be very disinclined and try and maintain that pressure, try and build up some pressure on him with some dot balls and make him go for the big shots earlier than what he wants to do," 43-year-old Hussey said.

"I think change of pace could work against him because he goes hard at the ball, taking the pace off it (the ball) could be advantageous."

Zaman had scored a match-winning hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy final last year against India.

"Fakhar Zaman from Pakistan, what great form he is been off late and who could forget his century in the ICC Champions Trophy (final) against India, not too long ago," he said.

Hussey predicts that India and Pakistan will be favourites in the six-nation Asia Cup but said Afghanistan, who have confirmed their participation, can spring a surprise.

"Looking ahead towards the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are the favourites, both been playing some excellent ODI cricket and quality ODI teams," he said.

Ind-Pak clash on 19 sept

Dubai: India and Pakistan will face off in Dubai after drawing the same group for this year's Asia Cup, the International Cricket Council announced on Tuesday.

India suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai attacks but the two teams continue to play each other in international tournaments, including the Champions Trophy final in England last year.

This year's Asia Cup was originally set to be held in India but was shifted to the United Arab Emirates because of strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.

The biennial tournament will begin September 15 in with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in the opener, the ICC said.

The Cup reverts to its traditional 50-over ODI format this year after opting in 2016 for a Twenty20 competition, which India won.