KEY POPINTS
- Former Pakistani Pacer Questions India’s Batting Depth Ahead of Super Eights.
- Rashid Latif and Ahmed Shehzad hold contrasting views, backing India to reach the semi-finals.
KARACHI: Former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has stirred the cricketing fraternity by predicting that India will fail to qualify for the T20 World Cup semifinals, citing persistent batting collapses as the major hurdle for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
Speaking on a television show, the 2009 T20 World Cup winner shared his predictions for the teams that would advance from the Super Eights stage to the semi-finals.
“South Africa and West Indies,” Amir declared when asked about which teams would emerge victorious in the Super Eights stage and book their semi-final berths.
The left-arm pacer, who now plies his trade in various cricket leagues around the world after parting ways with the national side, pointed to India’s inconsistency with the bat as a critical weakness.
“Take a look at all their matches, except for the Pakistan fixture; their batting collapses,” Amir remarked, suggesting that the Indian top order has struggled to fire collectively throughout the tournament.
Pressure mounting on India
Amir believes that with the Super Eights now underway, the pressure on the Indian batting lineup will only intensify.
“Keeping in mind their batting collapse, the Indian side will now be under more pressure due to the Super Eights,” he added.
The 33-year-old reserved special praise for South Africa and the West Indies, asserting that both sides possess the firepower to overcome any opposition.
“I think that in the manner in which South Africa and the West Indies are playing, they can beat any team that comes in their way,” Amir stated confidently.
Windies firepower
Analysing the West Indies squad, Amir highlighted their well-rounded bowling attack and explosive batting lineup as key strengths.
“The Windies have a good bowling line-up,” he said, naming spinners Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein alongside pace-bowling all-rounders Jason Holder and Shamar Joseph as potent threats.
He further emphasised the destructive capabilities of their middle-order batters. “Their batters, Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell, were hard-hitters who could put pressure on any team,” Amir noted.
South Africa’s complete package
Turning his attention to the Proteas, Amir elaborated on why he believes they are destined for the semi-finals.
“And why am I saying that South Africa would go to the semis? Well, their fast bowling: complete, spinners: complete, batting: in-form,” he explained, painting a picture of a well-balanced unit firing on all cylinders.
Contrasting opinions
While Amir’s predictions have generated buzz, other panellists on the program held differing views regarding India’s chances.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif expressed optimism about a blockbuster semi-final clash, stating he envisions Pakistan facing India in the last four.
Former opener Ahmed Shehzad also backed India to progress, predicting that India and South Africa would be the two teams advancing to the semi-finals from their respective groups.
As the Super Eights stage unfolds, all eyes will be on how these predictions fare against on-field action, with India’s batting depth set to face its sternest test yet.
