‘Fakhar Has No Chance Against Bumrah But…’: Irfan Pathan’s India-Pakistan Prediction | Cricket News

Last Updated:September 14, 2025, 09:06 IST

Irfan Pathan highlights Jasprit Bumrah’s form ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash, focusing on his battle with Fakhar Zaman.

Bumrah‘s battle against Zaman has had a history. In the 2017 Champions Trophy final, the former had dismissed Zaman but it was a no-ball. The Pakistan batter survived and went on to score a match-winning hundred.

While Bumrah has never bowled to Zaman in T20Is, the duo have faced each other on four occasions in ODIs and the former has never been able to dismiss Zaman.

“When we saw Bumrah in the last match, he was bowling with control and easing in. He is very smart and knows how to pace himself. When you see him playing against Pakistan, he will be seen at a different pace and a different zone,” Pathan said while speaking on Sony Sports. 

“Fakhar Zaman is a player who plays fast and tries to carry momentum. So there if Bumrah comes in his A game, I don’t think Fakhar stands a chance. But if he can remove that spell, I would love to see that contest between Fakhar Zaman and Kuldeep Yadav,” Pathan added.

The star Indian spinner has dismissed Zaman thrice in three meetings in ODIs and this is one of the matchups which can define the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday.

Pathan reflected that Bumrah can bowl the inswing yorker to Zaman. The latter, being a southpaw, will have to be wary of the same.

“Who can give instructions to Bumrah? He is a king. He is a once-in-a-generation bowler. He knows how to set the batters up and when to bowl the yorker. Fakhar is a left-handed batter and we have seen the inswing yorker as well from Bumrah to left-handers,” Pathan said.