Australia batting great Michael Hussey has some advice for India bowlers on how to tackle Pakistan’s in-form batsman Fakhar Zaman in the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE.

Fakhar has been in sensational form of late and had a stellar ODI series against Zimbabwe where he became the first Pakistan batsman and sixth overall to register a double ton in the 50-over format.

The left-handed opener scored a staggering 515 runs in the five innings at a whopping average of 257.5 and also became the fastest to the 1, 000-run mark in ODIs.

Hussey believes Indian bowlers should take pace off the ball to combat the swashbuckling opener.

“So plans for India against Fakhar is got to be nice, tight line and length, be very disinclined and try and maintain that pressure, try and build up some pressure on him with some dot balls and make him go for the big shots earlier than what he wants to do,” the Aussie told the Press Trust of India.

Fakhar Zaman became Pakistan’s first ODI double centurion.

“I think change of pace could work against him because he goes hard at the ball, taking the pace off it (the ball) could be advantageous,” he added.

The former Australia batsman is currently in India as part of the commentary team for the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).

The 43-year-old believes India and Pakistan will be the frontrunners for the six-team Asia Cup while tagging Afghanistan as the dark horses.

“Looking ahead towards the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are the favourites, both been playing some excellent ODI cricket and (are) quality ODI teams,” he said.

“But the surprise package could be Afghanistan, any team with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb (Ur Rahman) in them, is not easy to beat, so keep an eye, so if they score enough runs, they are going to be hard to beat.”

The schedule for the Asia Cup was released on Tuesday with India and Pakistan’s Group A clash to take place on September 19 at Dubai.