As the countdown begins for a high-voltage Pakistan–India encounter in the 2025 Asia Cup, former Pakistan international Bazid Khan has surprised many by underlining a potential weak link in the Indian camp: their captain Suryakumar Yadav, who has repeatedly struggled against the Men in Green.
Speaking on a popular cricket show on a state channel, Bazid noted that while Suryakumar Yadav has established himself as one of the most dominant T20 batters in world cricket, his numbers against Pakistan tell a very different story.
“Suryakumar scores runs against almost everyone, but somehow, against Pakistan, he hasn’t been effective. Whether it is the pace attack or some other reason, it remains an issue,” Bazid said.
Bazid’s statement, while surprising, is based on statistical reality. While Suryakumar Yadav is considered one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket, his record against Pakistan is mediocre. In five matches against the Green Shirts, he has scored just 64 runs at a modest average of 12.80 and a strike rate of 118.51. In comparison to his career average of 34.13 and a strike rate of 146.21, the numbers against Pakistan suggest that Salman Ali Agha’s side might hold the edge.
Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles have not been confined to one type of condition. Whether on spin-friendly pitches in Dubai, or on quicker surfaces like Melbourne and New York , Pakistan’s bowlers have consistently kept him in check.
For Bazid, the answer may lie in Pakistan’s pace attack. Four of his five dismissals have come against pace bowlers, with Haris Rauf dismissing him twice and Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali chipping in with one wicket each. Pakistan’s pace attack could test Suryakumar’s technique and temperament once again in the upcoming tournament.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Stats Against Pakistan:
| Year Range | Matches | Innings | Not Out | Runs | High Score | Average | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 64 | 18 | 12.80 | 54 | 118.51 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
At 34, Suryakumar enters the Asia Cup with the added responsibility of captaining India for the first time in a multi-nation event. The BCCI has surrounded him with a stellar cast as the team looks to defend its title. But whether he will be able to make an impact against Pakistan remains to be seen.
For Pakistan fans, all eyes will be on whether their fast bowlers can once again expose this one weakness in an otherwise formidable Indian batting lineup, which could help them land their third Asia Cup title.