Asia Cup 2018: India Favourites Against Pakistan, Reckon Sourav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja

Published - 23 Sep 2018, 11:50 AM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:55 PM

Asia Cup 2018, India vs Pakistan
Sourav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja say India will start as favourites against Pakistan. Image Courtesy: AP

Former cricketers, Sourav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja, feel India will start as favourites against Pakistan in the Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2018.

As expected, India is looking like the team to beat in the competition. The Men in Blue have won all their three games so far. After being given a mighty scare by Hong Kong in the opening match of Asia Cup 2018, India was back to their dominating best in the following games against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The Rohit Sharma-led side bowled out both the teams for subpar totals before chasing down the total with utmost ease to register comprehensive wins. India bowled out Pakistan for just 162. In reply, they chased down the modest total in 29 overs by losing two wickets.

Bangladesh also turned out to be a no match for India. The Tigers were all out for a paltry 173. In reply, India lost just three wickets to cross the finishing line inside 37 overs.

On the other hand, Pakistan has looked far from being impressive since the eight-wicket win against Hong Kong in their opening game of the Asia Cup 2018. They suffered a massive loss against India and somehow managed to beat Afghanistan.

And Sourav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja feel India will be the favourites to win the upcoming game.

“In such clashes, any team can win, but Pakistan will have to bat really well to win the game especially based on the evidence of their prior match against India. They will have to bat responsibly – something that we didn’t see the last time the teams met each other,” Ganguly told IndiaTV.

Sourav Ganguly, Ramiz Raja, India, Pakistan, Asia Cup 2018
Sourav Ganguly and Ramiz Raja feel India are favourites against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2018. (Credits: Getty)

Ganguly also had a word of advice for the players who are weathering the searing heat of the UAE.

“These pitches are not 300-350 tracks. You should look to get your eye in initially and get to 230-odd first. When the slog overs arrive one can afford to go ballistic, and the score can touch 260-270 which is a winning total on these surfaces,” added Dada.

Pakistan, India, Asia Cup 2018
India and Pakistan will clash for the second time in the Asia Cup 2018. (Credits: Getty)

The former captain further said the Indian team is the better side on paper. He, however, stated its anyone’s game when the two teams meet in the Super Four clash on Sunday.

Ramiz also echoed Ganguly’s sentiments, saying India’s chances of winning the match are 60-40 in their favour.

“60-40 would be my verdict considering that the Pakis are lacking in confidence. Amir seems low on confidence too, and so the necessary mindset to win games of cricket seems to have gone for a toss,” said Ramiz.

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