“It’s just another game. We should avoid creating hype as it adds unnecessary pressure.” Shoaib Malik did his best to play down the India versus Pakistan encounter ahead of the Asia Cup, but it was a fool’s errand.
India and Pakistan are drawn in the same group in the Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates, along with qualifiers Hong Kong. They will first meet in the league stage on September 19 in Dubai, and chances are they will meet again in the Super Four stage, then maybe even the final.
With matches between the two rivals limited to multi-nation events, excitement is high – in fact, it could be argued that since the Champions Trophy in England last year, when India won the opening encounter only to be badly thwarted in the final by a resurgent Pakistan, the excitement has never really ever abated.
Hong Kong qualify for #AsiaCup. In same group as India and Pakistan, so assuming both teams will qualify to Super 4.
That means:
India vs Pakistan: Sep 19.
India vs Pakistan: Sep 23 (in Super 4 stage).Also, potentially the final on Sep 28.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 6, 2018
The numbers
India have never lost to Pakistan in the 50-over World Cup, but they can’t claim the same clean record in other big-ticket matches.
In ODIs, Pakistan have a distinct overall advantage, leading 73-52. Their record in UAE is particularly good, thanks in part to their dominance in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Useful knocks from Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam took Pakistan to a strong 338-4 after being asked to bat.
Mohammad Amir pretty much decided the chase when he had India at 33-3. With Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali coming into play as well, India had half their line-up back for 54 by the 14th over. While Hardik Pandya thwacked 76 off just 43 from No.7, it was too little too late.
The 180-run win was the biggest for any team in an ICC final.
The heroes
Malik is the most successful player from either side in their clashes against each other, averaging 103.66 in four matches, including two hundreds. After him comes Kohli, with 255 runs from four matches at 63.75.
Considering all matches of the Asia Cup, Kohli edges Malik on the runs front, with 766 runs from 16 matches to 696 runs. They are only behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 971 in 23 games.
Kohli, of course, will not be part of the Indian team this time, while Malik will have a chance to add to his numbers. Among active bowlers, too, Malik leads the charts for Pakistan, with 14 wickets. If he can keep up his form, and with youngsters playing their part, Pakistan will fancy their chances.
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