‘I don’t think Pakistan will pose that much of a challenge’ – Ajit Agarkar backs India to win the marquee game in T20 World Cup 2021

Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar said that Pakistan may not pose a whole lot of threat to India in their T20 World Cup 2021 clash to be played on Sunday, October 24 in Dubai. It’s pertinent to note that Pakistan are yet to beat India in a World Cup irrespective of the format. The last time these two teams met, the Men in Blue defeated Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup in England and Wales.

In their previous encounter in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli scored a half-century to script India’s six-wicket win over Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Agarkar said that keeping in mind the numbers and India’s form of late, Babar Azam and Co. may not be able to sustain for long. However, Agarkar also asked India to not let complacency sneak in.

I don’t think we should take our neighbours lightly, says Ajit Agarkar

“The stakes are always high when India and Pakistan play together but going by Team India’s current form and taking the stats into consideration, I don’t think Pakistan will pose that much of a challenge.

“Having said that, I don’t think we should take our neighbours lightly because cricket is a funny game, and things can change at any moment, especially in the T20 format,” Agarkar was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

Agarkar also went down the memory lane to the T20 World Cup in 2007 when India became the inaugural champions, beating Pakistan in the final. Prior to that, MS Dhoni’s India also defeated Pakistan in the Group stage in a bowl-out.

“The entire tournament (2007 T20 World Cup) was a dream tour for us. We never thought a bunch of youngsters could achieve such a feat, that too against Pakistan. I think the India-Pakistan rivalry always brings a tidal wave of emotions and is one the most anticipated clashes in the World Cup,” he added.

Prior to the Super 12s, India and Pakistan will play two warm-up games. Even as India will face England and Australia, Pakistan are set to lock horns with the West Indies and South Africa.

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