New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has hoped he can replicate Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exploits against India’s top-order, which includes Boult’s IPL captain Rohit Sharma, during New Zealand’s ICC T20 World Cup encounter against India on Sunday.
“I thought the way Shaheen bowled the other night, for a left-armer watching on, I thought it was amazing. But there are quality batters in that India line-up,” Boult said on Saturday.
“Early wickets are definitely the focus for us as a bowling group. But we just need to be nice, clear and accurate on where we are trying to put the ball. Hopefully, from my point of view, it swings around a little bit, and I can mirror what Shaheen did the other night.”
When asked for his reaction to Boult’s statement, India captain Virat Kohli said India was ready to counter yet another left-arm pace threat.
“If Trent says he wants to replicate what Shaheen did against us, obviously he is motivated to do so, and we have to be motivated to counter that and try to put pressure on him and the other bowlers as well. That’s how the game goes anyway,” Kohli said.
With India and New Zealand both having suffered a loss to Pakistan in their opening encounter, both the teams will be desperate to register a win on Sunday. Despite New Zealand holding an advantage against India at ICC events, Boult stressed it was a clash of equals.'“I wouldn’t say we have an extra edge. I think both sides are stacked with quality players. In terms of our team, we are excited about the opportunity that lies ahead for us,” Boult said.
“A few guys have been here playing IPL and UAE and obviously have relationships and have played a lot of these Indian guys a lot. So here is hoping we can put it all together tomorrow and get our ball rolling.”
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