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Pathan Reveals Sharma's Slump Solution

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has pinpointed Abhishek Sharma's shot selection as the key issue behind his slump at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, urging the opener to trust his natural game while making smarter decisions.

Abhishek Sharma, the world's No. 1 T20I batter, has endured a nightmare run in the tournament, registering a hat-trick of ducks and struggling particularly against off-spinners. According to Pathan, the problem lies in the opener's approach rather than his technique, as he tries to dominate too early instead of settling in. 'His bat comes down from a high angle, and he is not looking to hit straight. He is trying to play across the wicket,' Pathan explained.

However, Pathan warned against drastic changes, emphasizing that Abhishek's natural bat angle is not the issue. 'He does not need to change that. If he tries to change it now, it will be a mess,' he said, urging the youngster to first get off the mark before targeting fast bowlers. Meanwhile, Pathan reserved praise for fellow opener Ishan Kishan, who has been one of the tournament's standout performers.