T20 World Cup: Atherton backs Pakistan bowling attack to 'repeat 1992'

ADELAIDE: Former England skipper Michael Atherton has said that Pakistan have got the bowling attack to repeat the 1992 World Cup final, after the Poms qualified for the grand finale of the T20 World Cup 2022 following its victory over India at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

England hammered India by 10 wickets in a one-sided affair, courtesy of ruthless batting from skipper Jos Buttler and Alex Hales. The opening duo wreaked havoc as they scored 80 and 86 runs, respectively, to power their side into the final of the event, where they will be facing Pakistan in a rematch of the 1992 World Cup.

The Men in Green qualified for the final after beating New Zealand by seven wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

After England thrashed India and booked their final spot, the former cricketer recalled the 1992 World Cup and stated that Pakistan can recreate history.

"A great occasion that was [referring to the 1992 World Cup]. Determined by the brilliant skillful fast bowling from Pakistan and a bit of great reverse swing from Wasim Akram. They [Pakistan] have got the bowling attack to repeat that. It is a great contest between probably the strongest bowling line-up in the competition against the most aggressive batting line-up," Atherton told Sky Sports during the post-match analysis in Adelaide.

Pakistan clinched their first-ever World Cup after beating England by 22 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1992.

On being asked why India fails to deliver in world events considering the depth of cricket they have throughout the country, Atherton said: "When you look at Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul go about it, they play orthodox cricket. They've got a brilliant player in Virat Kohli at number three of exactly the same type, which is why a lot of focus has fallen on Suryakumar Yadav, who plays a different type of game. At the end of this tournament, whether they will think about a slight change of approach at the top-order or it remains to be the same."

Moreover, the former opening batter talked about India's performance against England in the semi-final.

"India looked shell-shocked at the field. England came at them real hard and didn't let them settle. There was a huge contrast between the intent with which England batted and the lack of intent from India at top of the order. I think that was the key difference," he said.

Pakistan will square off with England in the grand finale of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, November 13.