Shami is the key for India: Pathan

Irfan, who was part of the victorious India side which lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013, said the mantra for success in English conditions is to hit the seam well, which he felt the in-form Indian pacers, led by Mohammed Shami, are capable of. “What’s important in England is to hit the seam well. If you can keep bowling in the right areas and hit the seam, I think that’s the best way to go for the bowlers,” the 32-year-old said.

“With the kind of form our frontline pacers – Bhuvnesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav - are in at the moment, I am sure India can do really well in the Champions Trophy. With the amount of experience they have in the home season and the Indian Premier League (IPL), I think they are up for the challenge in England.” He said Shami has one of the best seam positions in world cricket.