Former Indian player Mohammad Kaif wants Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to announce the team for the big-ticket match against Pakistan in advance.
The Asia Cup 2022 is set to get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 27 when hosts Sri Lanka take on Afghanistan in Dubai.
India should announce their playing XI in a couple of days: Mohammad Kaif
The most anticipated clash will be India vs Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the same venue where Babar Azam and his men posted a monumental win by 10 wickets in the T20 World Cup last year.
This match will give a clue for both teams before they lock horns in Melbourne on October 24 in the T20 World Cup 2022.
Kaif asks Rohit to unveil his playing XI for the blockbuster clash against their arch-rivals in the next two days.
“This is not about playing mind games. I request Rohit Sharma to make a statement, that this is our playing XI. Good luck to all the players. Let’s win this Asia Cup. We have to win and defeat Pakistan as it is a big tournament. We’ve lost to them in the T20 World Cup. We are going ahead with a plan,” Kaif said on Sony Sports Network.
“The biggest thing is that [India] should announce their playing XI in a couple of days. Rohit Sharma should step up and say that this is my XI,” he added.
Pakistan had also announced their playing XI before the match last year: Mohammad Kaif
Pakistan had announced a 12-member squad for the India match in the T20 World Cup just a day before the clash. Kaif believes by revealing the teams one sends a message across that they are ready for the big game.
“Last year, Pakistan announced their XI a day earlier, but we waited for the toss and only made the decision after looking at the ground and conditions,” Kaif said.
“It sends a big message to opponents that we are ready. There is no doubt about the role of the players. All we have to do is go and win the match. There should not be any confusion among players about whether they will play in the final XI or not,” he added.
There is a high possibility of India and Pakistan facing each other three times in the upcoming continental tournament.
