Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has praised Auqib Nabi Dar’s performance in the second ODI against New Zealand. However, he questioned the Jammu and Kashmir pacer’s lack of effectiveness when the batters take the attack to him.
Dar returned with impressive figures of 2-31 in seven overs he bowled in the second game of the series. The right-arm seamer accounted for both New Zealand openers, Will Young and Tim Seifert. Thus, he played a key role in giving a perfect start to the visitors after Shubman Gill decided to bowl first by winning the toss.
Aakash Chopra said on Cricinfo, “Well, if there is help in the surface, Auqib Nabi is best suited to extract something out of it. He’s a seam bowler, swing bowler. He’s a hit-the-deck hard bowler. There was enough help in the surface after the game was delayed because of rain. The pitch was also under the covers for a fairly long period of time. So surface moisture was still existing. And he was just putting the ball in the right area.
However, the renowned commentator questioned Dar’s strategy when Daryl Mitchell started charging him by advancing down the ground.
He concluded, “Well, if there is help in the surface, Auqib Nabi is best suited to extract something out of it. He’s a seam bowler, swing bowler. He’s a hit-the-deck hard bowler. There was enough help in the surface after the game was delayed because of rain. The pitch was also under the covers for a fairly long period of time. So surface moisture was still existing. And he was just putting the ball in the right area.”
Dar had returned with figures of 0-33 in six overs he bowled in the series opener at Eden Park, Auckland.
The third ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday.
