Asia Cup 2023: Ex-Pakistan Batsman Hits Out At Rohit Sharma-Led India, Says 'We Have A Better Middle-Order Than Them'

Former Pakistan batsman, Basit Ali hit out at Rohit Sharma’s Team India and said that Babar Azam’s Men in Greens have a better middle order than the Men in Blues ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 which is going to start on Wednesday (August 30th).

There is no doubt that India’s middle order has been affected after the injury of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Shreyas Iyer last played for Rohit Sharma’s side in the fourth Border-Gavaskar trophy match against Australia when he received a back injury and has not been included in the squad since then.

On the other hand, KL Rahul received a thigh injury during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Since their injuries, Rohit Sharma and the team management have been auditioning for the middle-order position but no one could make a mark like Rahul and Iyer.

While speaking on his official YouTube channel, Ali said that names like Iftikhar, Salman Ali, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz in the middle order have been handy for the host of Asia Cup 2023.

While talking about India’s middle order, the former Pakistan player said that Tilak Vama can play at number three and Virat Kohli can move down at number four.

“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. 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,” Basit Ali said.

India will face problems at no. 4, 5, and 6: Basit Ali warns Rohit Sharma’s side

Basit Ali said that the Men in Blues will be dependent on their top three batsmen, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat. Ali further added that if India’s top-order performs then it will be hard to defeat Rohit Sharma’s side.

“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,” Basit Ali added.

India will start their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against their arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday (September 02) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.