Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed noted that team India are a better side even without their skipper Virat Kohli, who is taking a break from the Asia Cup 2018.
Meanwhile, the selectors have decided to rest Kohli to manage his workload. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in his absence while Shikhar Dhawan will be his deputy.
While many have criticised this call, Sarfraz Ahmed feels India will be better even without their regular skipper.
“No doubt he (Kohli) is their captain and a world-class batsman but I think they (India) have a good team even without Kohli,” Sarfraz said. “They have good players who have done well for India. So I don’t think it will make much difference to India. Their batting is very strong so I can say that it will be a good match,” he added.
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Sarfraz Ahmed, who led Pakistan in the Champions Trophy triumph, denied that his team would have a psychological advantage.
“We will not take that Champions Trophy win in our minds,” Sarfraz said. “That was a different atmosphere (in London) and conditions. It was a year ago so that’s history so we will enter the ground with a new strategy and passion,” Sarfraz Ahmed signed off.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan will square off in the Asia Cup on September 19 (Wednesday) at Dubai. The last time both the sides clashed, the men in blues suffered a humiliating defeat last year in England. Thus, they will be desperate to produce a favourable result this time around. odisha vs tamil nadu