Asia Cup 2018: Pakistan Have the Edge Over India to Win the Title - Misbah-Ul-Haq

The Pakistan former cricketer, Misbah-Ul-Haq is the latest person in the block to express his opinion on the ongoing Asia Cup 2018. The prominent batsman picked Pakistan as the favourites to win the coveted cup and spoke about Virat Kohli’s absence and Team India’s chances in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Misbah feels that it will be tough for India without Kohli in their lineup. Further, he also gave his valid reasons for picking Pakistan as the favourites to win the coveted trophy.

Three teams can win the Asia Cup 2018 – Misbah-Ul-Haq

The former skipper of Pakistan included Bangladesh in his top three teams to win the trophy. Off all, he named Pakistan as the winner for their mental advantage and positive mindset. He also spoke about Kohli’s absence as well.

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Misbah reiterated that Men in Green has performed well in the recent past and added that his team is aware of the conditions in UAE which will help the team at crucial junctures of the tournament.

”Three teams can win the tournament including Bangladesh. But overall I have picked Pakistan because they know the conditions well in Dubai. Our bowlers have a good idea on how to bowl here in UAE. No doubt India is a great team because of their batting and bowling lineups. But because the way Pakistahasve performed in the recent past and the confidence they have, I think they have the edge,” Misbah revealed.

”For players from both India and Pakistan, whoever handles the pressure well will win. And if you look at Virat Kohli in the last few India-Pakistan matches, he has been the only one who has handled the pressure well. Other Indian batsmen haven’t been as successful as him against Pakistan,” he added.

Virat Kohli absence is a big relief for Pakistan – Misbah-Ul-Haq

The stats say that the performance of Kohli is directly proportional to India’s result in the recent past. The former batsman Misbah suggested that India always got the best batsman in the lineup who handled pressure well. But the current team got only Kohli, who is out of the team.

”Earlier, India had great batsmen in their lineup like Yuvraj, Raina, Sehwag. Players who could do well in all situations. Now the load is more on Virat Kohli which is why the other teams have the advantage. If the other team dismisses Kohli early they believe start feeling a mental edge in the game. So if Kohli is not there from the beginning itself, I feel it’a big relief for Pakistan bowlers,” he concluded.

As Misbah-Ul-Haq said, there is a psychological advantage for Pakistan against India. However, India got the potential players to show their calibre on the day and snatch the victory from the opposition. As ever, the time will reveal the things.