'They have players named as the best' - Rashid Latif reckons Team Pakistan is better than India

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif reckons that Pakistan is a better team than their rivals India. Although he thinks India is a good team, he said that Pakistan has some of the best players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. Speaking about the upcoming Asia Cup, he said that the main competition is between India and Pakistan.

Latif said that he was hopeful of Pakistan’s chances in Asia Cup, adding that their win against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup has increased the hopes. The 2022 Asia Cup is set to be held from late August to early September in Sri Lanka.

“India is no doubt a good team but there’s no example of the way Pakistan is currently playing cricket,” the former Pakistan cricketer was quoted as saying by the Cricket Pakistan website. “Pakistan has players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan who are currently named as the best players by ICC.”

I am hopeful for Pakistan to win Asia Cup 2022: Rashid Latif

When Pakistan and India met in the previous T20 World Cup in October 2021, the Men in Green clinched a thumping 10-wicket victory, chasing a target of 152 in 17.5 overs. Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi ripped through the Indian top-order, dismissing openers, KL Rahul for 3 and Rohit Sharma for a first-ball duck, in the first two overs of the spell.

“I am hopeful for Pakistan to win Asia Cup 2022. The victory against India in the recent T20 WorldCup 2021 has increased hopes for Pakistan. No doubt other teams are also competitive but the main competition in AsiaCup 2022 would be between India and Pakistan,” said Latif.

India and Pakistan have faced each other nine times in T20Is, out of which India have won seven times and Pakistan won the other two games. Pakistan, however, has an overall edge over their neighbours as they lead by 73-55 in ODI in 132 games and 12-9 in Test matches in 59 meetings. The two teams will meet in the upcoming T20 World Cup on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).