'India only play in Dubai, are you afraid of going to Sharjah?' - Sikander Bakht has controversial question ahead IND vs PAK Super 4 clash

Team India is set to take on Pakistan in their first Super Four match of the 2022 T20 Asia Cup to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on September 4 (Sunday). Both teams look strong on paper and an exciting contest is on the cards between the two cricketing giants.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Sikander Bakht has given a controversial statement regarding India facing Pakistan. Speaking in a panel discussion which also comprised former Indian skippers Kapil Dev, Mohammed Azharuddin, and Atul Wassan, Bakht asked the former Indian players if the Men in Blue are  “scared” to play in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

The schedule had India's match against Pakistan in Sharjah, you guys changed it to Dubai: Sikandar Bakht

“I just wanted to know, why doesn't India want to play in Sharjah or Abu Dhabi? They only play in Dubai. Are you afraid of playing in Sharjah? The draws had already been out,” Bakht said on GEO Super.

“The schedule had India's match against Pakistan in Sharjah. You guys changed it to Dubai. Are you afraid of going to Sharjah? We have been asked this question by our people, so I thought I would ask the same to you,” he had further added.

While Kapil and Azharuddin did not comment, Atul Wassan hilariously said that Sharjah had been “bad” for the Indian team in the past. 

“That ground has been pretty bad for us. Now, we are in strong favours with the ICC, so we are not playing there,” Wassan said, prompting laughter from both sets of panelists.

As mentioned above, team India will take on Pakistan in the first match of the super four on Sunday, September 4. Earlier, the Men in Blue had defeated the Men in Green in their tournament opener also played at the Dubai International Stadium. 

Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who gave vital contributions to their team in the tournament opener, will want to emulate their performance against the arch-rivals on Sunday as well.