'They will face problem' - Basit Ali highlights India's fragile middle order ahead of Asia Cup

India and Pakistan are all set to ignite the fiercest rivalry in international cricket as the two teams take on each other during Match 3 of the Asia Cup 2023 in Pallekele. Ahead of the mouthwatering clash, experts from both countries have begun their pre-match analysis to determine which team has the upper hand over the other.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has also weighed in his opinion and feels that Pakistan have a more settled middle order than India. Ali stated that if KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer don’t get fit in time, Ishan Kishan will have to bat in the middle order where there will be uncertainty over his performance.

"We have Babar, Fakhar, Imam and Rizwan at the top, Iftikhar and Salman Ali in the middle and Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can be a bit handy down the order. In comparison, we have a better middle order than India. If Ishan Kishan plays at no. 5, fingers are crossed. No idea how will he perform there. India could also play Tilak Varma at no. 3 and bring Kohli at no. 4," Basit Ali said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

Notably, India have been marred by injuries to their main players in the middle order namely KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. While Pant is unlikely to get fit in time for the Asai Cup and World Cup 2023, Iyer and Rahul are undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. 

The final decision on their inclusion will be taken by the selectors when they announce the squad for Asia Cup on Monday, August 21 as per reports.

Meanwhile, further speaking ahead in the video, the 52-year-old praised the Indian top Order and said that it would be tough for teams to beat India if their top three get going.

India will depend on their top three: Basit Ali

"India will face problem at no. 4, 5 and 6. They have three top-class batters in Rohit, Virat and Gill at the top. India will depend on their top three. If they perform, it will be difficult to beat India at the World Cup and the Asia Cup," he added.

India and Pakistan will further face each other in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup and also in the final, if they qualify for the same. The Asian heavyweights will further lock horns during the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.