India vs Pakistan is an iconic tie and come September 2, the whole world will watch with baited breath for cricketing world's two iconic teams go head-to-head at Asia Cup 2023. (More Cricket News)
Both the sides are evenly matched and moreover, the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, would be one to watch out for as well.
The Asia Cup 2023 will prove to be a pre-cursor for the ODI World Cup later this year. Former Aussie spinner Brad Hogg feels that Shaheen Shah Afridi and the Indian top-order will be the deciding factor between the two sides.
Pakistan won their first game at the Asia Cup 2023 by 238 runs against Nepal and go into the India tie with full of confidence. India will take on their arch-rivals at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. Hogg said that he would be watching this 'big' clash and the contest would be decided between India's batters and Pakistan's pace attack.
"I definitely will be watching it. It is one of the biggest contests that we can have. Look, politics gets in the way of sports everywhere. It's here in Australia, England everywhere. We are just missing the rivalry between the two countries on the cricket field. It will be better for Pakistan as well because they will get the exposure. We want those contests to happen.
"India has a more dominant batting. Pakistan with their pace attack has a slight advantage, especially with left arm Shaheen Afridi. He is a quality bowler. When you have a left-arm fast bowler who swings the ball with pace and gets them to come in for the right-handers it does make it difficult," said Hogg on Backstage with Boria.
On being asked to say on the battle between Shaheen Afridi and Rohit Sharma, Hogg said, "I think Shaheen will have a chance with the deliveries that come in against right-handers. If Pakistan can expose Virat Kohli early in the contest against the new ball in front of Shaheen Afridi. The contest between Shaheen against the Indian top three will be decisive. So, for me, that's going to be where the game will be won and lost between India and Pakistan."
