POBNEWS24,Dhaka, Sep 3, 2022 : India and Pakistan will meet in the most interesting and high voltage match in the first round of the main phase of the upcoming Asia Cup. On August 28, in the second match of the series in Dubai, the discussion-predictions are high on the match of these two arch-rivals. This time Pakistan’s former captain Sarfraz Ahmed joined that team.
According to Sarfaraz, Pakistan will go ahead against India as they have a good idea of the conditions and ground in the UAE.
This year the Asia Cup was supposed to be held in Sri Lanka. But due to political unrest in the country, the Lankans did not have the courage to host the Asia Cup at home. Therefore, the 15th edition of the Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates. However, Sri Lanka is the host of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan has a lot of experience with UAE conditions and wickets. Apart from the matches in three formats in the desert country, Pakistan has a lot of experience in playing Pakistan Super League (PSL). So with enough knowledge about the conditions and the wicket, Babar Azma will be the one to take the lead in the match against India.
Sarfraz, the captain of the Pakistan team who won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017, said, ‘The first match of any competition decides the course of the tournament. Our first match is against India. Our morale will be very high in this match. Because in the last encounter we lost to India at this venue. ‘
Pakistan defeated India by 10 wickets in the Super Twelve match of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last October. Pakistan set the precedent of defeating India for the first time in any World Cup tournament.
However, due to experience, Pakistan will be ahead, said Sarfraz, ‘Pakistan knows well about these conditions and fields. We have played many PSL matches here, many of our home series matches here. India have also played IPL here, but they don’t have as much experience as us in these conditions. ‘
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi played a big role with the ball in the match that defeated India in the last Twenty20 World Cup. Sarfaraz said that Afridi will be needed by the team in the Asia Cup match as well. Afridi is not playing in the ongoing ODI series against the Netherlands due to injury. He said, ‘Getting Afridi fit is important for Pakistan. He will have a big role. Indians are playing very good cricket now though. But we are also playing well, especially in the shorter version. ‘
