England vs India 2018: Pakistan's Asif Masood Backs India to Win Test Series

Former Pakistan bowler, Asif Masood has backed India to win the ongoing five-match Test series against England.

India is currently 1-2 down in the five-match series. India had their back against the walls after losing the first two Tests. However, after the sensational performance in the 3^rd Test in Nottingham, the Indian team has given themselves a fair chance of coming back and win the series. Given the current condition of the English batting, line-up history might well be on the cards.

Asif Masood, who is currently 72 would have probably made his way to Old Trafford had an England vs India Test match been held in Manchester.

It would have been an opportunity for Masood to go and meet the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. He is part of the commentary panel in England. Masood and Gavaskar haven’t met each other since the 1975 World Cup.

Both of them played together for the Rest of India side against Australia way back in 1971-72. Bishan Singh Bedi and Farokh Engineer were the two other Indians in the Rest of India squad as well. Meanwhile, former Pakistan players, Zaheer Abbas and Intikhab Alam were in the squad. It coincided with the Indo-Pakistan war.

Masood has followed India’s progress in the ongoing series so far. He hailed the pacers for their brilliant performance in the series so far.

Asif Masood feels India should have won in Birmingham 

“India should have won at Birmingham, and they played very poorly at Lord’s. But they came back showing great character in Trent Bridge. That lad (Jasprit) Bumrah is a good bowler,” Masood was quoted as saying by Midday from London.

Only one team has come 0-2 behind and went onto win a Test series. The feat was achieved by Don Bradman’s Australian team back in 1936. However, Masood feels India have a realistic chance of scripting history. Moreover, India also thinks they can make a great comeback.

“India are a fine side which is led well by Virat Kohli. What a player he is… the best batsman in the world. I love his intensity. England can be beaten. “There was an improvement in the Indian batting at Nottingham, and with your bowlers doing a good job, England will find it difficult to win. I think England are an over-estimated side. Sure, Joe Root is a class act, but the rest of the batting can fall away.

“England has always been over-rated. I would include Umesh Yadav in the playing XI though,” added Masood.

The former pacer bagged nine wickets in the Birmingham Test of 1971. However, England managed to save the Test due to rain.