India and Pakistan would enter next month’s Asia Cup as the two favourites to win the tournament. Given the format, that billing could also mean that the two South Asian giants could face each other thrice – should they plan out the final. In any case, two matchups are exceedingly likely, as we discussed in this space earlier this month.
But if India and Pakistan are the two favourites, they are likely to enter the tournament in completely contrasting circumstances. Pakistan are on the back of their most successful year in limited-overs cricket in recent memory, beginning with the Champions Trophy win last summer. While the ODI whitewash in New Zealand in January was a glaring glitch, Pakistan have reigned supreme pretty much everywhere and in every format since the turn of the year.
Dubai International Stadium
India, meanwhile, are getting an absolute battering in England as things stand, and by the time you read this could be decisively 3-0 down in the five match Test series. Pakistan’s most recent assignment of course was the tour to Zimbabwe, where not only did they complete the formality of whitewashing the depleted host side, more crucially they won the T20I tri-series that involved Australia. Beating Australia in a tough final also underscored the current Pakistani side’s big match play.
Even so, it is important to establish that India’s struggles and Pakistan’s most noteworthy recent triumph came in the Test and T20 formats respectively, while the Asia Cup would be an ODI tournament. While the Champions Trophy was an historic triumph, Pakistan’s only other series wins have been against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, neither of whom is in the best of shapes.
Pakistan triumphant in T20I triseries
The only other series that Pakistan have played was against New Zealand, where they were absolutely battered. Therefore, it is important to recognise that recent form for both sides, despite the disparity between them, comes in different formats.
However, another factor that would absolutely come into play are the conditions. For, the UAE has been a veritable home for Pakistan over the past decade or so.
In terms of the actual playing conditions, the UAE won’t play much differently to traditional South Asian conditions. And hence, the pitches for instance won’t give any side the edge over the other.
India struggling in England
But getting used to playing in certain stadia always has a positive impact on the side, because when you are accustomed to the surroundings, it’s easier to trace your comfort level.
What would be a unique experience for Pakistan would be taking India on at Dubai, with the two sides last playing in the UAE in 2006, at Abu Dhabi, and all matches in the Emirates before that being played at Sharjah.
“Our team has relatively more experience of playing under UAE conditions and therefore we will try to take advantage of this experience in our Asia Cup match against India. On the other hand, Virat Kohli-XI is a stronger outfit as far as overall experience is concerned,” Captain Sarfraz Ahmed last week while talking to the media.
Fakhar Zaman centurion in the Champions Trophy final
hose two factors highlighted by the skipper are also among the contrasts that would converge in the UAE next month. While Pakistan have time spent in the UAE under their belt, India on paper are a stronger outfit.
However, what is also true is that Pakistan themselves are a much stronger side than the one that overpowered India in the Champions Trophy final.
Granted, Pakistan had found one of their trademark grooves back then, where all papers and formbooks are thrown out of the window, but the starts of that final now have another year under their belt.
Pakistan would be a tough challenge for India in the UAE, and both the sides should be a mammoth ask for the rest of the sides in the tournament.
