“We Have A Better Middle-Order Than India”: Ex-Pakistan Star’s Bold Claim | Cricket News

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali feels that the Babar Azam-led facet has a greater and a extra settled middle-order than India, heading into the Asia Cup and the next. Basit stated that India might face points within the middle-order, one thing which has been evident of their performances of late. India head into the Asia Cup with each Shryeas Iyer and KL Rahul nonetheless present process rehab on the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Rishabh Pant’s absence has additionally created an enormous void in India’s middle-order.

Also, India are but to finalise their first-choice wicketkeeper, heading into the Asia Cup, beginning August 30.

With Pakistan and India set to face off within the Asia Cup on September 2, Basit has his fingers crossed, so far as the Rohit-led facet’s middle-order is worried.

“We have Babar, Fakhar, Imam and Rizwan at the top, Iftikhar and Salman Ali in the middle and Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can be a bit handy down the order. In comparison, we have a better middle-order than India. If Ishan Kishan plays at no. 5, fingers are crossed. No idea how will he perform there. India could also play Tilak Varma at no. 3 and bring Kohli at no. 4,” Basit Ali stated in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

However, the 52-year-old advised that different groups would discover exhausting to beat India if their prime three batters — Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli — come clutch throughout the mega occasions.

“India will face problem at no. 4, 5 and 6. They have three top class batters in Rohit, Virat and Gill at the top. India will depend on their top three. If they perform, it will be difficult to beat India at the World Cup and the Asia Cup,” he added.