"Any bowler in the world thinks twice before bowling at him" - Kamran Akmal earmarks India's Virat Kohli as biggest threat to Pakistan

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal reckons star batter Virat Kohli could once again be the biggest thorn in Pakistan's side when they take on India in the T20 World Cup 2024 in New York on Sunday, June 9.

Kohli has already played some outstanding knocks against Pakistan in T20 World Cups and arguably none better than his 82* that helped the Men in Blue clinch a last-ball thriller in the 2022 edition.

Speaking to timesofindia.com, Kamran Akmal said about Virat Kohli's threat to Pakistan:

"He can reshape a game against Pakistan. When Virat plays, it doesn't seem like a human is playing. It seems like a Khalaai Makhlooq (Creature) is playing. He is a player of immense stature, and no one can trouble him. Any bowler in the world thinks twice before bowling at him."

Alongside Kohli, Akmal also shed light on Suryakumar Yadav as a match-winner for India. However, Akmal claimed that the No.1-ranked T20I batter still had to prove his mettle against Pakistan, having not scored big in his four innings against the opposition so far.

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In bowling, there's no match for Jasprit Bumrah: Kamran Akmal

Kamran Akmal feels that while Virat Kohli is a threat to Pakistan among the batters, Jasprit Bumrah is a potential menace among the bowlers.

Here's what he said about the star speedster:

"In bowling, there is no match for Bumrah. Be it T20s, ODIs, or Tests, he will come and relish the format and conditions. If he is sleeping and you wake him up to bowl, he can still take wickets. Such a classy player he is."

India have won six out of the seven T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan. However, the Men in Green will take inspiration from the 10-wicket hammering they handed India during the 2021 edition.