T20 World Cup 2024: I didn’t want to give the ball to him in his range – Axar Patel reveals bowling plan against Imad Wasim

India’s all-rounder Axar Patel has revealed his plan was not to bowl in Imad Wasim’s arc after their six-run win against Pakistan at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday. Patel said he wanted the left-hander to play the cut shot and set the field accordingly.

The left-arm orthodox spinner conceded only two runs in the 16th over as he bowled three dots against Imad Wasim. Pakistan’s southpaw was dismissed after meandering to 15 runs from 23 balls.

Patel registered impressive figures of 1-11 in the two overs he bowled against the arch-rivals. 

“The plan was just that I didn’t want to give the ball to him in his range and get hit for a six at deep mid-wicket because the wind direction was that side too,” Patel said in an interview with BCCI. 

“I spoke to the captain, Rohit (Sharma) bhai, to give me 2 point fielders, and a sweeper fielder ready for the cut shot as well and I’ll bowl him for the cut shot. [I thought] if he hits a cut or hits one through covers that’s okay because it’s a very difficult shot. I executed it well, the over went well and the runs difference increased,” Axar explained.

Meanwhile, Patel was promoted to number four after India lost both their openers cheaply. The left-hander scored a crucial cameo of 20 runs from 18 balls with the help of two fours and one six. Patel revealed Pant calmed him in the center by not talking much about cricket.

“There was no chance to plan when I got to know I was going at number four!” Axar told BCCI. “It was easy for me because our captain sahab (Rishabh) wasn’t saying anything about cricket and was just having a bit of fun to make me feel easy while telling a few things [about the game] here and there after every ball. So while talking I also felt a bit easy that everything’s going alright.”

Pant, who top-scored with 42 off 31 balls, said Patel played a vital knock and made him comfortable and the IPL bonhomie helped them.

“There was nothing much on my mind, I was just planning to keep it simple with a positive mindset because India-Pakistan is always a high-pressure game,” the keeper-batter said. “Then, when Bapu came in – I think he has practiced batting at No. 3,4 all IPL (laughs) – when your mate is with you, you get comfortable. We were speaking to each other, being comfortable, and not thinking much about the situation.”

India will next take on the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Wednesday.