The first of the expected two epic matchups between bitter rivals India and Pakistan will take place in exactly three weeks. The two teams will square off in the 2023 Asia Cup group stage on September 2 at the Pallekele Stadium in Sri Lanka. A Pakistani icon joined the bandwagon of analysts and veterans before the big match and made a bombastic comment about the current Indian team before identifying the Babar Azam-led team as the favorites. This was done as predictions and analysis of the teams from the two countries continued to come in ahead of the big match.
Between 1969 and 1984, Sarfaraz Nawaz played for Pakistan in 55 Tests and 45 One-Day Internationals. He based his as sessment on India’s recent decision to experiment with their batting lineup during the ODI series in the West Indies, where captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had taken a backseat to allow players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Axar Patel to stake out their claims for the World Cup team.
Despite the fact that the decision was intended to test India’s bench strength amid worries about the expected returns of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, as noted by head coach Rahul Dravid as well, Nawaz believed that the move had decimated the team rather than strengthened it.
“Compared to India, Pakistan has a considerably more established and solid team for the Asia Cup and World Cup. For these important events, the Indians still haven’t been able to decide on their final lineup, Nawaz told the media in Lahore on Friday. “Captains are changing, a lot of fresh players are being used, and the right combinations are lacking. I believe that the Indian side is being destroyed rather than developed.
Nawaz also acknowledged that India will face pressure due to its role as the host country as well as the fact that it hasn’t been able to win an ICC trophy in the previous ten years.
“When you play at home, there are always huge expectations, which adds to the pressure. India has several excellent senior performers, which is a benefit, he continued.
Shaheen Afridi will be Pakistan’s x-factor in crucial World Cup matches, according to Nawaz, who is praised for his reverse swing bowling and once took seven wickets for just one run in a spell against Australia in Melbourne.
He bowls exceptionally well and is extremely dangerous in his first two or three overs. Nawaz stated, “I have very infrequently seen a bowler with such mastery over swing, seam, pace, and yorkers with the new ball.
The seasoned Pakistani bowler also commented on the unveiling of Pakistan’s Asia Cup roster.
He bowls exceptionally well and is extremely dangerous in his first two or three overs. With the new ball, he continued, “I have rarely seen a bowler with such mastery over swing, seam, and pace.
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