WEBDESK: Former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi believes that Rohit Sharma-led India hold the edge over Muhammad Rizwan-led Pakistan ahead of the high stakes Pakistan vs India clash on 23rd February in Dubai International Stadium. Shahid Afridi said that India have more match winners than Pakistan.
However, in the Champions Trophy, the two teams have faced each other 5 times previously and Pakistan holds the edge with 3 wins to India’s 2. Perhaps the most famous win of those 5 was the one in the 2017 Champions Trophy final when Fakhar Zaman took over and scored a century to power Pakistan to a huge win.
Pakistan are in a must-win situation when they take on India on Sunday after suffering a massive 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi. As for India, they are in a rich vein of form will come into the contest on the back of a comfortable win against Bangladesh in the opening game of the Champions Trophy.
“If we talk about match-winners, I’d say that India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan. A match-winner is someone who knows how to win the game single-handedly. Right now, we don’t have such players in Pakistan,” Shahid Afridi said on JioHotstar’s ‘Greatest Rivalry Returns’ episode.
Shahid Afridi said that the Indian middle and lower order had played vital roles in the teams wins. The same could not be said for Pakistan.
“Some have performed in a few games, but we don’t have players who have sustained their performance for a year, two years, or across 50-60 matches. That’s where we are a little weaker compared to India, which is very strong in this area.” Afridi said every player in Pakistan side will have to give his best in order to overcome the arch-rivals.
However, India’s world cup winning all-rounder Yuvraj Singh disagreed with Shahid Afridi and said that Pakistan holds an edge over India as they have played a lot of cricket in Dubai.
Pakistan were forced to play cricket in the UAE following a militant attack on the touring Sri Lankan team in 2009.
“I actually think Pakistan has an advantage because they have a base in Dubai. They have played a lot of cricket there and understand the conditions well. On slower wickets, Indian and Pakistani players are among the best, who have always played spin well,” said Yuvraj.
Read more: Pakistan vs India: Crickets biggest rivalry set to take place in Dubai
