KEY POINTS
- In five T20I innings versus Pakistan, Yadav has scored only 64 runs at an average of 12.80
- India’s Asia Cup campaign includes a crucial clash with Pakistan on September 14
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has highlighted Suryakumar Yadav’s poor record against Pakistan, suggesting the Indian captain’s struggles could give Pakistan an edge in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Bazid praised Suryakumar’s brilliance against most teams but pointed out a recurring pattern of underperformance whenever he faces Pakistan.
Speaking on a local TV show, he said, “Suryakumar scores freely against nearly everyone, but somehow against Pakistan, he just hasn’t found his rhythm,” Bazid observed. “Whether it’s the Pakistani pace attack or some other factor, it remains a concern for India.”
Yadav, a powerful force in the T20 format and India’s new captain for a multi-nation tournament, now carries the weight of expectation.
The 33-year-old will lead India through high-stakes matches, including the fiery India-Pakistan clash, which always draws massive attention and pressure.
Despite his recent dominance in T20 cricket, Suryakumar’s record against Pakistan tells a different story.
In five T20 international innings, he has scored just 64 runs at a modest average of 12.80, with a highest score of 18 and a strike rate of 118.51. Remarkably, he has yet to notch a fifty or century against Pakistan.
What makes this struggle more intriguing is its consistency across diverse conditions – from the spin-friendly pitches in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup and 2022 Asia Cup, to the pace-friendly tracks in Melbourne and New York in the last two World Cups.
Even in the Asia Cup, his output remains subdued, with 31 runs from two innings at an average of 15.50.
Statistically, Pakistan is the only team against which Suryakumar has played more than five matches without averaging above 30.
Compare that to his performances against England – where he averages 29.08 with a staggering strike rate of 171.92 -and the contrast is striking.
India’s Asia Cup campaign kicks off on September 10 against UAE in Dubai, before the eagerly awaited India-Pakistan showdown on September 14.
With a star-studded squad featuring Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and others, all eyes will be on Suryakumar to see if he can finally break his Pakistan jinx.
