Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has warned India cricket team to tread carefully against Pakistan’s Usman Tariq when the two sides meet in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. The mystery spinner, who will be playing his first game against the Men in Blue, has been dubbed as PAK’s trump card in the contest in Colombo. Ahead of the IND vs PAK clash, Harbhajan has fired a warning to Suryakumar Yadav and co. on dealing with Tariq.
‘Have to play him safely’
Speaking to the media in Ranchi, Harbhajan acknowledged Usman as a good spinner and said that India would have to play him safely. The hype around the Pakistan bowler is over his unique bowling action, where he pauses before delivering the ball, a style that was made popular by Lasith Malinga and Kedar Jadhav. However, Singh backed the Indian team to wade past Tariq, noting that India should play like they always have – without pressure.
“India will win the match. Pakistan has a spinner (Usman Tariq), he is a good spinner, we have to play him safely. The Indian team is capable; it is a very good team. We hope they play the way they have always played, play without any pressure and wave the flag of victory,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Tariq has arguably been one of Pakistan’s best bowlers so far in the tournament, making good use of the spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka. He has 11 wickets to his name from four T20Is and averages 7.90. He played his first T20 World Cup game against USA earlier this week where he picked up three wickets.
India will be aiming to extend their winning run against Pakistan by handing them another thrashing at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
