Spoiler Alert - India vs Pakistan games in Asia cup will be closer than many expect

[AZulfi]

In emerging Asia cup, abhishek scored 35 at 160 sr.He will go after every one.He shields head in ipl against kuldeep, varun , bishnoi etc quality spinners .He smoked rashid quite a bit .

Attacking batsmen are also more likely to give you a chance. It takes one special delivery. An error of judgment early in the innings, and you could be on your way. The key for opposition teams will be to get him early.

Remember Viv in the 1983 World Cup final. Windies needed a mere 184 in 60 overs. If they wanted, they could have approached it like a test match, but Viv tried to go for glory too soon; he went for a needless aerial shot, and the rest is history. There was nothing special about that ball from Madan Lal. Sometimes, pressure can make you do strange things.

 

[Vikram1989]

Attacking batsmen are also more likely to giveu you a chance. It takes one special delivery. An error of judgment early in the innings, and you could be on your way. The key for opposition teams will be to get him early.

I agree with u but the present game strategy itself warrants that.Thats why every team needs batting till 8 to push it.even pak have faheem at 8 for the same purpose.

 

[Hitman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1964169763535671781

 

[BouncerGuy]

GUYS, PLEASE NO PERSONAL STUFF...

TAKE YOUR FIGHTS SOMEWHERE ELSE

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Ok so you're saying PCT win atleast one match against India .

And here is my prediction (as you bring Modi factor )- PCT team will win same match as they have won the war against India ie ZERO

Bro, its a t20 match, any team can eke out a win.

 

[Sachin fan]

Maybe this (Asia cup) is where Pakistan can come full circle and end it where it all started.

 

[Devadwal]

Bro, its a t20 match, any team can eke out a win.

Yes I know but Still we are miles ahead of rest of Asian teams .

 

[jnaveen1980]

Abrar is a decent spinner but he is no Afridi or Ajmal and even he troubled Gill and eventually got his wicket. What is the weakness of A Sharma ? He seems to be a very dangerous batsman who can change game in few overs. Sufyan got his wicket in emerging cup so can we say he is weak against spinners as well ?

Every batsman would have got out to some bowler lol We can't use that as a metric to judge their ability.

Abhisehak vs Rashid khan
36 balls 82 runs 7 sixes

Abhishek vs Adil Rashid
25 balls 62 runs 7 sixes

Abhishek vs Sunil Narine
25 balls 51 runs 5 sixes

 

[jnaveen1980]

Attacking batsmen are also more likely to give you a chance. It takes one special delivery. An error of judgment early in the innings, and you could be on your way. The key for opposition teams will be to get him early.

Remember Viv in the 1983 World Cup final. Windies needed a mere 184 in 60 overs. If they wanted, they could have approached it like a test match, but Viv tried to go for glory too soon; he went for a needless aerial shot, and the rest is history. There was nothing special about that ball from Madan Lal. Sometimes, pressure can make you do strange things.

Isn't it the same method that Pakistan tries to copy with less skill sets? Keep attacking? Yes teams can collapse. Remember even with old team India was what 20 for 3 in the world T20 final. Axar patel belted them all over.

 

[Shafikapeo]

Abrar is a decent spinner but he is no Afridi or Ajmal and even he troubled Gill and eventually got his wicket. What is the weakness of A Sharma ? He seems to be a very dangerous batsman who can change game in few overs. Sufyan got his wicket in emerging cup so can we say he is weak against spinners as well ?

That ball from Abrar was unplayable, and any batsman in the world would have gotten out to it. The Emerging Asia Cup and the Asia Cup are two different ball games. Right now, Abhishek Sharma has the best average and strike rate against spinners. A weakness is when a batsman keeps getting out repeatedly to a certain type of delivery or bowler—otherwise, anyone can fall to a good ball. Abhishek Sharma’s weakness is the right-arm inswing delivery, and Gill’s weakness is also the right-arm inswing delivery. And yes, Gill doesn’t play spin all that well either.

 

[light]

Highly unlikely - yes it's a T20 and the chances of that happening will be there but very very unlikely. India is too strong.

 

[hks222]

Highly unlikely - yes it's a T20 and the chances of that happening will be there but very very unlikely. India is too strong.

Kohli was our nemesis. He is not playing now

 

[Devadwal]

Kohli was our nemesis. He is not playing now

Pandya , Bumrah and Kuldeep are enough for Pakistan .

 

[hks222]

Pandya , Bumrah and Kuldeep are enough for Pakistan .

Kuldeep used to bog Babar down. He isn't playing.

Pandya can get carted around as well. Maybe just be mindful of Bumrah.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Kohli was our nemesis. He is not playing now

Kohli did no play in 2018 Asia cup. India trounced pakistan by 8 wickets in the Asia cup match. with 21 overs to spare.

 

[hks222]

Kohli did no play in 2018 Asia cup. India trounced pakistan by 8 wickets in the Asia cup match. with 21 overs to spare.

Exceptions happen.

We also beat you guys in Asia Cup T20 and WT20 2021

 

[jnaveen1980]

Exceptions happen.

We also beat you guys in Asia Cup T20 and WT20 2021

Pakistan played India twice in 2018 without Kohli in Asia cup. One lost by 8 wickets. Another lost by 9 wickets. You beat India with Kohli. So your theory of removing kohli will automatically make your life easier has no empirical evidence. New team may be better than without Kohli as they won 25 out of 31 matches since Kohli's retirement losing only 5. I see this prediction based on history more often with pakistan fans. It is a new day. new match. The guys who failed before may be the match winner this time.

 

[hks222]

Pakistan played India twice in 2018 without Kohli in Asia cup. One lost by 8 wickets. Another lost by 9 wickets. You beat India with Kohli. So your theory of removing kohli will automatically make your life easier has no empirical evidence. New team may be better than without Kohli as they won 25 out of 31 matches since Kohli's retirement losing only 5. I see this prediction based on history more often with pakistan fans. It is a new day. new match. The guys who failed before may be the match winner this time.

We would have won in 2022 as well if not for Kohli after 2021.

2018 is 7 years ago. I'm talking about period 3/4 years back.

 

[hks222]

Also 2018 cup was 50 over format.

I don't know when will indian fans grow up.

 

[jnaveen1980]

We would have won in 2022 as well if not for Kohli after 2021.

2018 is 7 years ago. I'm talking about period 3/4 years back.

Have you ever considered you cannot make predictino for Abhishek sharma/Sanju samson/Tilak varma/Gill based on what Kohli/Rohit sharma/KL Rahul/dhawan did against a completely different team of yours. you just lost to afghanistan with this team. You lost a series to Bangladesh with this team. But you somehow use history to predict.

 

[Buffet]

Hoping for Pakistan to win the game. Go Pakistan !!!!

 

[Devadwal]

Hoping for Pakistan to win the game. Go Pakistan !!!!

Yes early flight ticket Will be booked from Dubai to Lahore airport when india , Afghanistan thrashed them .

 

[Greenstorm]

That ball from Abrar was unplayable, and any batsman in the world would have gotten out to it. The Emerging Asia Cup and the Asia Cup are two different ball games. Right now, Abhishek Sharma has the best average and strike rate against spinners. A weakness is when a batsman keeps getting out repeatedly to a certain type of delivery or bowler—otherwise, anyone can fall to a good ball. Abhishek Sharma’s weakness is the right-arm inswing delivery, and Gill’s weakness is also the right-arm inswing delivery. And yes, Gill doesn’t play spin all that well either.

In this squad, only Hassan Ali has that inswing but he won't play. I hope they will play Wasim Jr instead of Harris but that seems unlikely.

 

[jnaveen1980]

That ball from Abrar was unplayable, and any batsman in the world would have gotten out to it. The Emerging Asia Cup and the Asia Cup are two different ball games. Right now, Abhishek Sharma has the best average and strike rate against spinners. A weakness is when a batsman keeps getting out repeatedly to a certain type of delivery or bowler—otherwise, anyone can fall to a good ball. Abhishek Sharma’s weakness is the right-arm inswing delivery, and Gill’s weakness is also the right-arm inswing delivery. And yes, Gill doesn’t play spin all that well either.

Archer is one of the finest bowle ragainst left hander. He was murdered by Abhishek. He doesn't stay in the crease. He comes out more often than not. Look at first ball 147.8 kph from Archer. Coming into him. He thrashed over extra cover for six

 

[OldWarHorse]

Pakistan does have decent spinners, also they are a better team without the 2 clowns. Hesson will have the team well prepared.

 

[Shafikapeo]

Pace or spin has never really been a problem for Abhishek Sharma. If anything troubles him, it’s the swinging deliveries from right-arm pacers. For example, in that same series, Mark Wood dismissed him with an inswinger, and in the Bangladesh series, Tanzid Tamim also troubled him with the inswing and even picked up his wicket that way. If Abhishek avoids playing cross-batted shots and instead uses a straight bat to negotiate wicket-to-wicket length balls, then I think he can be a tough challenge for any opposition bowler. Another key factor to watch will be how he handles the sluggish Dubai wickets, where the ball tends to hold up a bit—whether he can still play his free-flowing shots there, or whether he adapts his game accordingly.

Archer is one of the finest bowle ragainst left hander. He was murdered by Abhishek. He doesn't stay in the crease. He comes out more often than not. Look at first ball 147.8 kph from Archer. Coming into him. He thrashed over extra cover for six

 

[Mamoon]

It will be close if 5-6 members of the Indian team have the worst match of their life, but if they play even half-decent cricket, they will walk over this pathetic Pakistan team led by a bang average captain.

 

[Shafikapeo]

In this squad, only Hassan Ali has that inswing but he won't play. I hope they will play Wasim Jr instead of Harris but that seems unlikely.

Wasim Jr. has been a very inconsistent bowler. I think in the Emerging Asia Cup, Abhishek handled Wasim quite well. Hasan Ali is a decent bowler, but I doubt he’ll be able to trouble Abhishek on the Dubai pitch.

 

[Greenstorm]

Will Hesson play two specialist spinners now against India ?

 

[shamaan]

Will Hesson play two specialist spinners now against India ?

Only if the pitch aids spin.

 

[prash88]

Will Hesson play two specialist spinners now against India ?

Surely not. Dubai pitch ll be more pacer-friendly than Sharjah. Two spinner option ll be used by teams in later stages. India ll play Kuldeep, Varun and Bumrah only as bowlers if they make the finals.

 

[light]

Kohli was our nemesis. He is not playing now

Yes, sure. Against Pak he was on a different level but India is probably playing a brand of T20 cricket where none of the Asian counterpart can replicate at the moment and Ind is too good in this format too. And for good reason - their investment on grassroot cricket is giving them plenty of players. Where as PAK/BD does not focus on grassroot - unsure about SL.

 

[cricketmania22]

It would be a one side-sided affair. This pakistan cricket team is still horrendous.

 

[TexasRattlesnake]

Kohli was our nemesis. He is not playing now

The number of matches that India has defeated Pakistan in the last decade where Kohli was not there or had no significant impact is more than the number of matches Pakistan has won against India lol.

 

[Snowflake]

Since no spoiler thread yet from brother @The Bald Eagle , I thought of initiating one

There’s been plenty of chatter about the upcoming Asia Cup clashes between India and Pakistan. A lot of Indian fans seem convinced that victory is all but assured, given India’s strong T20 record. On paper, the rankings certainly back that view: India sit at No. 1 while Pakistan are down at No. 7.

But T20 cricket is nothing if not unpredictable. Let’s look at the last five encounters:

• 24 Oct 2021 – Pakistan beat India by 10 wickets (Dubai)
• 28 Aug 2022 – India won in the last over
• 4 Sept 2022 – Pakistan beat India
• 23 Oct 2022 – Kohli pulled off a miracle win
• 9 Jun 2024 – Bumrah snatched victory at the death

What’s interesting is that India haven’t managed a single comprehensive T20 win over Pakistan in this period – unlike their more dominant and one sided ODI encounters. Every game has gone down to the wire.

This makes me believe the upcoming Asia Cup encounters will be much tighter than many expect. Adding to the intrigue, it will be the first time in years that India face Pakistan without either Kohli or Rohit in the XI.

I still think India will come out on top, but Pakistan are unlikely to be a cakewalk. Buckle up, this could get spicy.

Wait… what game? You’ve been telling us all that the game isn’t going to happen. Now you make a thread about?

 

[RidiculousMan]

I'm seeing a lot of arrogance from Indian experts and ex cricketers.

India is indeed a better side but it will not bode well for them if they lose a game against Pakistan.

 

[Azaad]

I'm confident it'd be a close match. The quality of the surface, the format and Pakistan winning the toss should guarantee a close finish

 

[oatmeal]

I thought match itself is not going to happen because two months back, a pyjama Legends tournament match had to be cancelled because of public pressure in India.

What changed in the two months?

 

[jnaveen1980]

I'm seeing a lot of arrogance from Indian experts and ex cricketers.

India is indeed a better side but it will not bode well for them if they lose a game against Pakistan.

It is not arrogance. It is the recent record, ranking them being world champions. And pakistan's indifferent track record in recent times. Anybody can lose in this format like this young INdian team dropped a match in zimbabwe being unable to chase down 111. Is Pakistan uber confident against Afghanistan, Bangaldesh, Srilanka? If so can we call that as arrogance?

 

[Sachin fan]

Only if the pitch aids spin.

Of course it will aid spin, how can you change the nature of these pitches overnight?

 

[Devadwal]

The tickets of India Vs Pakistan Match in this Asia Cup still not sold out.

Usually, tickets for India-Pakistan matches get sold out within 30 minutes of the sale starting

 

[shamaan]

Of course it will aid spin, how can you change the nature of these pitches overnight?

I didn't see much turn in the first asia cup match ?

 

[Rajdeep]

The tickets of India Vs Pakistan Match in this Asia Cup still not sold out.

Usually, tickets for India-Pakistan matches get sold out within 30 minutes of the sale starting

No takers for this temu Classico.

Honestly, I’m expecting this game to draw fewer eyeballs than even a low-profile IPL fixture like Punjab Kings vs SRH — forget trying to match the real El Clasico of cricket i.e MI vs CSK

@Bhaag Viru Bhaag

 

[mominsaigol]

No takers for this temu Classico.

Honestly, I’m expecting this game to draw fewer eyeballs than even a low-profile IPL fixture like Punjab Kings vs SRH — forget trying to match the real El Clasico of cricket i.e MI vs CSK

@Bhaag Viru Bhaag

So generous of you to boycott the sport. That's why I see you every day being stupid

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

No takers for this temu Classico.

Honestly, I’m expecting this game to draw fewer eyeballs than even a low-profile IPL fixture like Punjab Kings vs SRH — forget trying to match the real El Clasico of cricket i.e MI vs CSK

@Bhaag Viru Bhaag

From 'this match won't even happen' to 'creating a spoiler thread' to now 'this game will draw fewer eyeballs than El Clownico', bhai, how many u-turns will you take?

 

[RidiculousMan]

I think unless the pitch is a rank turner like the Sharjah wicket. Pakistan has to play Haris Rauf.

I know he is hot and cold off late. But Indian batters at times struggle against express pace and short stuff. He's the only one with express pace and has troubled them in the past.

 

[jnaveen1980]

No takers for this temu Classico.

Honestly, I’m expecting this game to draw fewer eyeballs than even a low-profile IPL fixture like Punjab Kings vs SRH — forget trying to match the real El Clasico of cricket i.e MI vs CSK

@Bhaag Viru Bhaag

People will watch because they miss Indian team in action for a long time.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

I think unless the pitch is a rank turner like the Sharjah wicket. Pakistan has to play Haris Rauf.

I know he is hot and cold off late. But Indian batters at times struggle against express pace and short stuff. He's the only one with express pace and has troubled them in the past.

Express pace and Bounce hardly troubles Indian batsman, most of them love to play on surface with true bounce and pace.

Swing and seam are our nemesis.

I can see Afridi taking a couple of wkts at start, Haris will get flogged and might get some wkts because of batsman attacking him.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Express pace and Bounce hardly troubles Indian batsman, most of them love to play on surface with true bounce and pace.

Swing and seam are our nemesis.

I can see Afridi taking a couple of wkts at start, Haris will get flogged and might get some wkts because of batsman attacking him.

Indians play bounce better than many SENA players.. That has been the case for a long time. Both Wood and Archer were marmalized by Abhishek. India's problem will be sluggish, tacky pitches. T20 was created for entertainment. But rolling out garbage pitches like this will kill any interest left in international T20s.

 

[Devadwal]

According to Molana Yousuf , Pakistan team is better than indian team . Ye wala Nasha karna hai muje

 

[Rajdeep]

People will watch because they miss Indian team in action for a long time.

Viewership is at an all-time low — I’ve got a feeling this tournament will flop.

Leaving aside the war angle or the whole “people don’t want to watch India vs Pakistan” narrative, the real issue is the lack of superstar players. No King Kohli, no Hitman Sharma — that alone takes away half the excitement. Even as an ICT fan, I haven’t seen enough of guys like Jitesh Sharma or Tilak Varma to feel invested. Add to that a personality-less captain in SKY, who honestly feels like a one-format fluke, and the buzz just isn’t there.

It’s the same with the opposition. Teams like Pak, BD, or SL are also filled with names I’ve barely seen or heard of. There’s no real connection being built.

For example, before the WT20 2022 clash against Pak at the MCG, I knew every single player from both sides — there was genuine hype in the air. This, on the other hand, feels more like an India A tournament

Another issue is we are playing against teams ranked 7th and below and we are rank1 side. The team we are going to face today is 15th in the T20 table.

So even if we win this tournament which is expected, the reaction will be 'Meh'. But if we somehow lose, all hell will break lose. So it is a lose-lose tournament for India.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Express pace and Bounce hardly troubles Indian batsman, most of them love to play on surface with true bounce and pace.

Swing and seam are our nemesis.

I can see Afridi taking a couple of wkts at start, Haris will get flogged and might get some wkts because of batsman attacking him.

Go watch some wickets highlights of Haris Rauf against Indian batters

 

[jnaveen1980]

Viewership is at an all-time low — I’ve got a feeling this tournament will flop.

Leaving aside the war angle or the whole “people don’t want to watch India vs Pakistan” narrative, the real issue is the lack of superstar players. No King Kohli, no Hitman Sharma — that alone takes away half the excitement. Even as an ICT fan, I haven’t seen enough of guys like Jitesh Sharma or Tilak Varma to feel invested. Add to that a personality-less captain in SKY, who honestly feels like a one-format fluke, and the buzz just isn’t there.

It’s the same with the opposition. Teams like Pak, BD, or SL are also filled with names I’ve barely seen or heard of. There’s no real connection being built.

For example, before the WT20 2022 clash against Pak at the MCG, I knew every single player from both sides — there was genuine hype in the air. This, on the other hand, feels more like an India A tournament

Another issue is we are playing against teams ranked 7th and below and we are rank1 side. The team we are going to face today is 15th in the T20 table.

So even if we win this tournament which is expected, the reaction will be 'Meh'. But if we somehow lose, all hell will break lose. So it is a lose-lose tournament for India.

Asia cup stopped being a relevant event long back. May be 15 years back when SL was a good side. I understand it is essential for other teams. But from an Indian team perspective it is an unnecessary event as among these nations only India plays two 5 test series. Plus a long IPL Other teams barely play any tests. Luckily India's bench strength is so mighty they can field separate teams for separate formats. But guys like Bumrah are playing only because of the harsh reaction to his workload management. Something that these players don't have to go through as they hardly play longer formats. Gill playing this is also madness. I would have loved a bilateral series. In a bilteral series India could have easily left out top players without anyone trolling them. There are certain reasons Asia cup sucks. Usually crappy venues, broadcast is pathetic, commentary team is also generally pathetic, atmosphere is pathetic. It just seems like extension of legends league.

 

[Pakhs]

Its T20 anything can happen on the day but India starts as favourites in all of the games in this Asia Cup. However Pakistan has much more to gain than India, The younger players will benefit from playing against India in the pressure environment of the tournament. India has nothing to gain even if they win the tournament, they already know their side and players are now fairly experienced.

 

[Devadwal]

Go watch some wickets highlights of Haris Rauf against Indian batters

Are you talking about Virat Kohli sixes( 2022 world T20) or Rohit Sharma sixes ( 2023 World cup ) ?

 

[jnaveen1980]

Go watch some wickets highlights of Haris Rauf against Indian batters

In T20 may be when they tried to attack. But wasn't he the reason they lost the MCG match? On a lively early MCG pitch he got pummelled for straight six by a washed up kohli.Besides you can't compare Indian batsmen of 2021 with current bunch. Both Wood and Archer bowled way quicker than Rauf in India. Also Rauf in ODIS were absolutel mauled in every India encounter.

 

[RidiculousMan]

In T20 may be when they tried to attack. But wasn't he the reason they lost the MCG match? On a lively early MCG pitch he got pummelled for straight six by a washed up kohli.Besides you can't compare Indian batsmen of 2021 with current bunch. Both Wood and Archer bowled way quicker than Rauf in India. Also Rauf in ODIS were absolutel mauled in every India encounter.

Kohli is not all the Indian batters.

If you have the technical eye you would see how most Indian batters who have gotten out to Haris in the format have gotten out primarily because of his express pace.

But not everyone has that eye though so I can understand why you'd think in a certain way

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Go watch some wickets highlights of Haris Rauf against Indian batters

Go watch those two sixes which went sailing over his head.

He has never been a force against us and Indian batsman are not known for weakness against pace.

His average against us is 22 which is one point above his career average, so dunno what you are harping about.

In Odisha, the less said the better.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Go watch those two sixes which went sailing over his head.

He has never been a force against us and Indian batsman are not known for weakness against pace.

His average against us is 22 which is one point above his career average, so dunno what you are harping about.

In Odisha, the less said the better.

*in Odis

 

[Champ_Pal]

Abhishek Sharma is a bigtime lottery at the top. He takes extreme risks to pull of wonderful shots. However, he gives lots of chances.
I say Pakistan can snap him early if they can catch the skier he presents. Players like him should not be given second chances. If it is his day, the match will be over quickly.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Kohli is not all the Indian batters.

If you have the technical eye you would see how most Indian batters who have gotten out to Haris in the format have gotten out primarily because of his express pace.

But not everyone has that eye though so I can understand why you'd think in a certain way

So random lower ranked teams like UAE players who bashed Rauf all year are better than Indian batsmen

 

[Sachin fan]

Kohli is not all the Indian batters.

If you have the technical eye you would see how most Indian batters who have gotten out to Haris in the format have gotten out primarily because of his express pace.

But not everyone has that eye though so I can understand why you'd think in a certain way

Dude Rauf is been being biffed around to all parts of the boundaries by even minnow teams nowadays. Indians will be fine

 

[RidiculousMan]

If I get to see Haris take wicket and have time. I will explain the technical detail to you guys @jnaveen1980 & @Sachin fan in India v Pakistan game

 

[castortroy]

Bumrah against the likes of Harris and some of the other pak batters will be hilarious.

On these wickets, India bowling attack will absolutely suffocate pak