Gautam Gambhir issues Pakistan warning ahead of T20 World Cup

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is wary of Pakistan side ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.

The former left-hander believes that the Men in Green are a dangerous side and no team should take them lightly in the mega event.

“They have always been a dangerous side; they have always been a very unpredictable side, and that is why Pakistan cricket is what Pakistan cricket is. They can go on to beat anyone and lose to anyone. That is how they’ve always played their cricket. It is not just now, it’s been there for years and years, and they’ve got some quality players,” Gambhir said while speaking exclusively on Star Sports show Follow the Blues — India’s T20 World Cup Squad Special.

He also heaped praise on skipper Babar Azam and Pakistan’s pacer battery, led by lanky pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“You’ve got people like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who can swing the ball at 140 and is left armed; he is tall, he gets that bounce. They’ve got some raw pacers as well, they’ve got Haris Rauf, who can bowl 140-145, so you can never underestimate, plus this is that kind of a tournament,” he said.

“T20 format is such where you got no time to make a comeback. So, you have to be on your toes, and when you’ve got quality players on the other side, you can’t take them lightly, and they have nothing to lose,” he added.

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Speaking about India’s match against Pakistan in the mega event, Gambhir lauded the Men in Blue’s record against their neighbours.

“India’s got a fabulous record against Pakistan, and whatever they talk about, the pressure’s going to be on India — that’s all media created stuff. Again, India is a far better side than Pakistan. So, this format is such where you got to be on your toes and got to get, you’re A-game forward,” he concluded.

Pakistan begin their T20 World Cup campaign with a blockbuster Super 12 stage match against arch-rivals India in Dubai on October 24.