Asia Cup 2018, Pakistan vs India - Keeping Wickets in Hand Will be Key - Sourav Ganguly
Published - 23 Sep 2018, 04:38 PM | Updated - 18 Jul 2025, 12:41 AM
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Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly believes keeping wickets in hand will be the key in the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan. In fact, India had dominated the first encounter against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup. Pakistan had bundled out for a paltry score of 162 runs against India and the Men in Blue had cruised to the target in just 29 overs with eight wickets in hand. Consequently, Pakistan had to pay the price for losing wickets on regular intervals.
Thus, there is no doubt that keeping wickets in hand is going to be the play a pivotal role. We have seen in the past that a team can put a competitive score on the board if they do not spend their wickets lavishly. Therefore, they can change gears and attack in the death overs.
“A batting unit that has wickets in hand till the end holds the key to success, which did not happen with Pakistan (against India) before,” Sourav Ganguly wrote in his column for TOI.
Pakistan would be more confident.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Kolkata believes that Pakistan would have received a shot in the arm after a successful run-chase against Afghanistan.
“A lot of people are saying the game against Afghanistan showcased Pakistan poor form, but don’t underestimate Afghanistan spinners and the run-chase in the final over will give them a lot of confidence,” Ganguly penned down.
India will have a psychological advantage.
On the other hand, Sourav Ganguly believes Men in Blue will have a psychological advantage. India had won the last match against Pakistan in ongoing Asia Cup.
“India was superb against Pakistan (in the group match) and outplayed them in all aspects. I believe Rohit Sharma and his team’s performance will continue to have a huge psychological impact,” Dada wrote.
India has its wood on Pakistan in the recent past.
Meanwhile, Ganguly believes the hype around an India-Pakistan match hasn’t lived up to the expectations. Indian team has had its wood on Men in Green in recent past. Men in Blue have won last eight matches from 12 encounters between the two sides.
“India-Pakistan games come with a lot of hype, but over the last 8-9 years, that hype has not matched reality. The Pakistan of old and Pakistan now are a lot different and India continue to be stronger in all aspects,” Sourav Ganguly wrote.
Indian team has been superb in the ongoing Asia Cup as they have won their all three matches. Hence, Men in Blue will like to continue with their good form.
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