Asia Cup 2018: Former captains express their views on India-Pakistan encounter

For cricket pundits, nothing is more exciting than to preview an India-Pakistan encounter. Two days ahead of the two Asian rivals’ high-voltage clash in Asia Cup in Dubai on Wednesday, former cricketers from both countries put forth their respective viewpoints over the game and which team has the edge over the opponent. India and Pakistan will be playing an ODI match after a gap of 15 months and the schedule of the Asia Cup could see them locking horns a number of times.

Pundits from both the countries, however, looked favouring each other’s team more while previewing at an elite cricket conclave ‘Salaam Cricket 2018’ held in Dubai on Monday. Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram felt India were favourites on the paper but according to former Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar, Pakistan will start as favourites in the game for their morale will be high, especially after the heavy win they scripted over India in the final of the Champions Trophy in England in June 2017.

Absence of Kohli will make Pakistani bowlers confident

Akram, who has been a part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup rivalry with India in the past, however, said the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli in the tournament will make the Pakistani bowlers confident and boost them psychologically. Kohli had slammed a 183 against Pakistan in an Asia Cup game in 2012 in Bangladesh and it still remains the highest individual score in the tournament.

“Kohli has been rested and that is the right decision. When Gavaskar, Azhar and Tendulkar did not play, I was high on confidence. The Pakistani bowlers will be psychologically boosted with Kohli being rested,” India Today quoted Akram as saying in the session named “Diggajon Ki Nazar Se” at Salaam Cricket 2018 at Hotel Address Boulevard in Dubai.

Gavaskar said while India need to be careful about not conceding too many runs in the middle overs, they should also focus on making use of the end overs while batting.

The two iconic players discussed on various aspects of India-Pakistan encounters, including the pressure the players from both sides face and how a good performance in such games boost their overall confidence.

India and Pakistan have played 129 ODIs against each other with Pakistan have a 73-52 advantage with four teams remaining inconclusive.

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