Outside noises may well have been quite loud in recent times over Virat Kohli's strike rate. But for a match-winner like him, his presence at the crease is what makes the opposition more worried than his strike rate, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq emphasised.
Kohli's breathtaking unbeaten 82 off 53 balls at the MCG in the last edition of the T20 World Cup is still fresh in the minds of the Pakistanis as well as he had almost single-handedly taken the game away from them with that innings. So, to keep Kohli at bay in the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup group-phase clash in New York on June 9, the best thing for Pakistani bowlers is to get him out early, Misbah advised.
"Irrespective of strike rate, Kohli's a player who knows how to win matches. So, till he is there at the crease, it isn't safe for the opposition regardless of the game's situation," Misbah, also a former Pakistan chief selector, said on Star Sports Press Room.
"Besides, when you have done well against a particular side, it remains in your mind and is there in your muscle memory. Your strong impact obviously affects the opposition too. Kohli has performed against all teams and damaged Pakistan too with crucial innings in crucial stages. And he gets more motivated by the magnitude of the occasion.
"So, Pakistan need to get him out as quickly as possible as they had done in the 2017 Champions Trophy final (at The Oval)," Misbah stated.
Talking about Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Misbah believes the outside noise regarding the latter's struggles in the shortest format should spur him on to do even better.
"Outside noises do affect a player at some point. But a top player takes note of thoise noises and looks forward to respond on the field," Misbah pointed out.
"In Ireland (T20Is), Babar has improved on his strike rate and hopefully, he will do so when the team needs it from him. But if the team wants him to play the anchor role, then he should do accordingly. It's about making the necessary adjustments as per the team’s requirements."
Skills-wise and in terms of overall quality, Misbah acknowledged India are ahead of Pakistan. "Since 2003, Indian cricket’s quality has improved, especially with the emergence of some very good, zabardast bowlers.
"Pakistan will have their task cut out becuase this is a skilful Indian team with a very good bowling attack comprising quality spinners and also pacers like (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj and others coming up. Even a fast bowling all-rounder like Hardik Pandya...
"The Indian cricketers play a lot throughout the year, which increseas their confidence. Now, to break that, the opposition has to put in a lot of effort. Australia can overcome such a hurdle with their very strong mental make-up. Let’s see how Pakistan overcomes this challenge," Misbah explained.
"However, if conditions require extra spinner who can bowl the carrom ball, seam-up dleivery in the middle and also with new ball, that may give an edge to Pakistan," he added.
Opening combination is another aspect that Pakistan will need to work out, especially as the otherwise aggressive left-handed Saim Ayub not being amongst runs of late. "Ideally, the left-hander-right-hander combination is ideal. The England T20Is (from May 22) will be very important though.
"Else, they have the option of going back to the Babar-(Mohammad) Rizwan pair," Misbah suggested.
