Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali claimed that the Men in Green have a better middle-order than their arch-rivals India and are favourites to win the encounter in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, the 52-year-old analysed Pakistan’s batting and said that Babar Azam-led side has a better and more settled middle-order.
"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,” Basit said.
He then talked about India’s ongoing struggle to find a suitable candidate for the no. 4 spot as they are also yet to finalise their first-choice wicketkeeper.
“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,” he added.
However, even though India is currently evidently struggling in their middle-order, Basit could not deny the fact that if the Blues' top-order have its day, it will be difficult to beat them.
"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.”
Pakistan will take on India on September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in the third match of the Asia Cup 2023.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2023
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.
India’s squad is yet to be announced.