Since giving up 52 runs in 4 overs against Australia in the Mohali T20I, veteran India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has gotten caught at the centre of a controversy. Former cricket players have criticised Bhuvneshwar for his lack of pace and creativity in the dying overs, which has greatly impacted the team's three crucial losses. In the Super 4 matches of the Asia Cup against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, he was assigned to bowl the 19th over, however he messed up both times, causing India to lose the match and the championship.

Bhuvneshwar was given the identical assignment as India attempted to defend 208 against Australia in the first T20I, but he once again failed miserably, costing India the match.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who has been scathing in his criticism of the India pacer, is among the ex-players who have urged for a change in India's plan.

A fan asked Butt to explain the necessity for pace while he was speaking on his YouTube channel because Naseem Shah, Pakistan's express young paceman, had also given up runs to England in the first T20I.

Butt made it quite evident that a bowler's choices to pose a danger to a batter are severely constrained when he lacks velocity.

"Naseem Shah may have gone for runs, but he has caused problems for batters from powerful teams. A bowler's choices are limited if he lacks speed. Bhuvneshwar was bowling outside the off stump even in the first T20I match against Australia. In the Asia Cup, he attempted the same thing, but it failed.

"You can bowl a bouncer if you have pace. The batter is anticipating pace, so your slower pitch naturally becomes misleading. There is no element of surprise for the batter when an already slow bowler bowls slower, "Butt provided an explanation in his harsh assessment of Bhuvneshwar.

"The disparity between Naseem Shah and Bhuvneshwar's concessions, 35 versus 52, is significant. Consider the disparity in experience as well "While contrasting Naseem with Bhuvneshwar, Butt noted.