Michael Hussey: “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”
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Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has admitted that India will have to remove Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman early on when the two arch-rivals clash in the Asia Cup on September 19.
Zaman is coming off a magnificent tour of Zimbabwe, where he broke a plethora of records during the five-match ODI series.
Zaman made history during the series as he struck a career-best 210 not out in the fourth ODI.
Zaman joined an elite club following his spectacular knock as he became just the sixth player to score a double century in ODI cricket.
In addition, his knock was the fifth-highest in ODI history and the highest by a Pakistani batsman.
Overall, Zaman scored 515 runs in five ODIs, which included two centuries and two fifties, at an average of 257.50.
In addition to his spectacular double century, Zaman also became the fastest batsman to score 1,000 ODI runs with his knock of 85 in the fifth ODI.
With this in mind, Hussey provided some tips on how to dismiss Zaman before he inflicts a serious amount of damage.
“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,” Hussey was quoted as saying by PakPassion. “I thing a change of pace could work against him because he goes hard at the ball, taking the pace off it (the ball) could be advantageous.”
Hussey also lauded Zaman for his outstanding performances as of late.
“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. “Such an exciting player, very attacking, likes to score quickly, backs himself and plays with no fear and he is hard to bowl to, because he can score all-round the ground. The margin for error for the bowlers is very very small.”