Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri has named the Men in Blue as the favourites for the clash against Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
However, Shastri admitted that Pakistan have narrowed the gap over the years.
"I would say India start as favourites. This is their strongest team since 2011, this mix of players," Shastri told ESPNcricinfo. "And a captain who is seasoned, who understands the terrain better than most.”
"Having said that, Pakistan have narrowed the gap. Seven-eight years [ago], there was a gap if you looked at the strength of both teams and man to man. But Pakistan have narrowed it down. They are a very good side, so you have to be on top of your game."
He also lauded Pakistan captain Babar Azam ahead of the crucial encounter.
"He [Babar] converts those 30s and 40s starts into hundreds. And it is so important. We keep saying to go out there and face a number of balls, but if one of your top three gets a hundred, you get 300-plus,” he said.
Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on a high with a massive 238-run win over Nepal on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, India will kick start their tournament with the match against their traditional rivals Pakistan.
India have the upper hand against Pakistan with seven wins in 13 Asia Cup (ODI) matches. Meanwhile, Pakistan have won five with one match ending in no result.
Pakistan have also lost four of the last five matches against India in the Asia Cup, with their last win coming in Mirpur in 2014. It was the same match where Shahid Afridi hit two consecutive sixes against Ravichandran Ashwin in the last over to get Pakistan over the line.
The Asia Cup 2023 will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka between August 30 and September 17.
- Ravi Shastri
