Former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed has stated that the Pakistan team is far ahead of India in terms of fitness and age as the two teams are set to lock horns on October 14 in Ahmedabad during the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Asqib, 51, analysed the overall team combination of Pakistan, saying that the team is balanced and they have a very strong chance to win this year's mega event.
"After a long time Pakistan is looking like a balanced team, their combination is good. This team has everything, fast bowlers, spinners, top and middle order, they don't have age or fitness issues as well," said the former cricketer.
"Back then, it used to be that two or three players will retire after the World Cup, but there is no one in this team who may call time on his career. That is why I always say that Pakistan have a golden chance to clinch the World Cup.
"India is in a condition where everyone is gossiping about which player will retire after the World Cup, that is why I am saying that in terms of fitness and age, Pakistan is far ahead of their arch-rivals."
Aaqib then went on to talk about India's captain Rohit Sharma and he also spoke about the comparison between Virat Kohli and the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam.
"Rohit Sharma does not have much cricket left in him, he is under pressure. People are also questioning his captaincy. On the other hand, that is not the case with Babar. He is leading the team with his performance.
"Virat performs seasonally, he is not consistent but Babar has been scoring runs consistently."
The former pacer also talked about Pakistan's upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 clash between India and Pakistan.
"Afghanistan will not be of any threat to Pakistan in ODIs. It will not be easy for their batters to face Pakistani pacers, while our batters are playing much better in the ODIs now.
"In the Asia Cup against India in Kandy, Pakistan should play with three pacers, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf because the new ball plays a crucial role and Shaheen and Naseem both swing the ball very well and can give us an advantage by taking early wickets."
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.- Aaqib Javed