'They have an upper hand' - Asghar Afghan gives his verdict on India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash

India and Pakistan lock horns in the second match of the Asia Cup in Dubai on August 28, Sunday. Ahead of the clash, former Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan has said that the Indian team looks more balanced out of the two teams. He expressed that the absence of Shaheen Afridi in the Pakistan team is good news for India.

When asked about the mouth-watering fixture, Afghan clarified that it is only a sport and not a war. He reckoned that India has the upper hand. However, Pakistan won during these two teams’ last meeting, which was in the 2021 T20 World Cup. 

“It is sports, not war,” said Afghan on CricTracker show ’Run Ki Runneeti’, presented by BatBricks7. “There is no doubt that India will have the upper hand in this fixture in Asia Cup. It is true that Pakistan won against India in the T20 World Cup. But it is unfortunate for Pakistan that Shaheen is unfit, which is good news for India.”

I think India will win the game: Asghar Afghan

“If you look at India’s batting combination, they have a great batting lineup,” added the former Afghanistan captain. “If Pakistan’s top-order batters, especially the openers, click, it will be good for the side. If not, their middle order is not as strong as that of India’s. Honestly, Indian team looks more balanced to me. I think India will win the game.”

Shaheen, who was initially named in the squad, was ruled out due to a right knee ligament injury. India, on the other hand, also come into the tournament without Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel, who are missing out due to injury concerns.

Meanwhile, this will be the 10th meeting for India and Pakistan in T20Is, with India leading the head-to-head record by 7-2. This will also be the 15th meeting in the Asia Cup, and the Men in Blue yet again have a superior record of 8-5.