‘We have Babar, Fakhar, Imam and Rizwan…’ – Former Pakistan cricketer feels Pakistan has better middle order than India

With the big tournaments like the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup approaching, the fans, media, former cricketers, and experts have started to give their opinions on the favorites to win the upcoming tournaments. Many have given their opinions about the eventual winners of the tournament. The former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali is the latest to join the discussion.  

The former Pakistani batter analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams ahead of the big tournaments. In his YouTube channel, Basit said that Pakistan has a better team on paper with a well-settled unit. The 52-year-old felt that Pakistani batters are better as compared to that of India. Ali said that Pakistan has a better balance in the middle order.  

‘India will face problems’ – Basit Ali

“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,” said Basit and claiming that Pakistan can be the favorite in the match against India in the 2023 Asia Cup.  

The former Pakistan batter also analyzed a hypothetical situation of India having Ishan Kishan as the middle-order batter. In his YouTube channel, Ali said that India might face problems concerning the batting positions. “If Ishan Kishan plays at no. 5, fingers are crossed. I have no idea how he will perform there. India could also play Tilak Varma at no. 3 and bring Kohli at no. 4,” added Ali.   

Ali also said that India might have to depend on their top 3 batters to score runs and felt that India could miss a balanced team. “India will face problems at no. 4, 5 and 6. They have three top-class batters 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,” concluded Ali.