IND Vs PAK: Jasprit Bumrah And Mohammed Siraj To Struggle In Asia Cup 2023? Wasim Akram's Jaw-Dropping Verdict

Former Pakistan skipper, Wasim Akram believes that the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 will help the continental teams prepare for the ODI World Cup which will start on October 5th since most of the bowlers are used to deliver four overs a game.

Jasprit Bumrah’s return to the India squad after suffering an injury in September 2022 will help the Men in Blue to gain their strength back.

India already have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah’s extry will help the team to bring variation while bowling.

While speaking at an event, Wasim Akram said that the Asia Cup 2023 will test bowlers’ capability to deliver 10 overs since the players are more into T20 games where they need to throw four overs in each game.

“Be it India or Pakistan or Sri Lanka, we will find out if the bowlers are able to deliver 10 overs or not, nowadays they are all used to bowling four overs (per game),” Wasim Akram said.

The former Pakistani player said that the Asia Cup 2023 is a long 50-over tournament that will test players’ fitness and mindset.

“It is a long tournament — not a one-off that you can enter the semifinals after winning one game. You have to win games to get on top. You have to take it game by game. Also, it is a 50-over competition (this time) not T20, which means a different mindset and fitness will be required,” Akram said.

Last time we had predicted an India versus Pakistan final but…: Wasim Akram

The 57-year-old predicted that all three of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are dangerous and anyone can win the tournament and that it is hard to predict.

“Last time we had predicted an India versus Pakistan final but Sri Lanka won the competition. All three teams are dangerous, anyone can win on their day,” he added.

While talking about the last time, Akram said that Sri Lanka won in the previous edition of the Asia Cup and the Men in Blues failed to make their way into the final. The former Pakistani skipper also added that other teams are playing as well apart from the three giants.

“There are other teams competing too. Last time Sri Lanka won the title, India even failed to make it to the final. India versus Pakistan is very important, we know about so much support (teams get), so many eyeballs, and so many people (following). But other teams are also here to play so you cannot minus Sri Lanka or Bangladesh,” Wasim Akram concluded.

Rohit Sharma-led India will play their first match of the forthcoming Asia Cup 2023 against Babar Azam’s Pakistan on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.