T20 World Cup: Trent Boult hopes to mirror what Shaheen Afridi did against India for New Zealand

T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult said he is looking forward to bowling with the new-ball against Indian batters in their crunch Super 12 contest on Sunday. India and New Zealand are heading into the tie on the back of defeats to Pakistan.

Trent Boult said he is looking forward to India challenge on Sunday (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTSIndia take on New Zealand in a crucial Super 12 match on SundayTrent Boult said he is looking forward to bowling with the new-ball against IndiaShaheen Afridi ran through India’s top-order in Pakistan’s 10-wicket win

New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has sent a warning notice to India ahead of their big-ticket T20 World Cup 2021 clash in Dubai on Sunday. Boult said he will look to make good use of the new ball and hope to mimic what Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi did against India in their Super 12 opener last Sunday.

Shaheen Afridi jolted India’s top-order to get Pakistan’s campaign up and running in the T20 World Cup. The 21-year-old made good use of the conditions with the new ball in Dubai, removing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul inside the first 3 overs of their big-ticket match. Shaheen got the ball to swing into the right-handers and dismissed Rohit for a golden duck with an unplayable yorker and castled Rahul with a bit of extra pace and swing.

Trent Boult will be leading New Zealand’s pace attack on Sunday, knowing India batsmen have had weaknesses to left-arm pacers in the recent past. In the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Mohammad Amir ran through India’s top-order while Boult did the damage in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.

“I suppose it depends on when I get the ball, I am not sure what the plan is with what overs certain bowlers are bowling. The way Shaheen bowled against India was amazing, but yeah India has quality batters, early wickets are the focus for us but we need to be nice and accurate of where we are trying to put the ball. Hopefully, it swings around a little bit and I can mirror what Shaheen did the other night,” Boult told the press on the eve of India’s clash against New Zealand.

Teams batting second have managed to win matches in Dubai in the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup but Boult said New Zealand can’t be relying on the toss and will look to do well in whatever opportunities they get.

India managed to post 151 against Pakistan in Dubai in their tournament opener but Babar Azam’s men got to the target in just 17.5 overs without losing a wicket.

“Whatever we do first, we need to do it well. India brings a lot of challenges, they are a quality side. But with the ball, we just need to be clear in our options on how to shut these people down and obviously give them a bigger chase as possible if we bat first. We look forward to taking it on,” Boult added.

Guptill fit for India clash, confirms Boult

There were doubts over Martin Guptill’s availability for the big-ticket clash against India in the Super 12 after he suffered a bruised toe in their match against Pakistan but Boult said the big-hitting opener is ready to take the field on Sunday.

“He is pretty good, he trained fully yesterday. He is definitely a big piece of the puzzle for us at the top of the innings. He is good to go,” he said.

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