As the cricketing world gears up for the Asia Cup 2023's fiery encounter between arch-rivals Pakistan and India, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt offers his unique perspective on the match. Scheduled for a Group A face-off at Pallekele on Saturday, September 2, Salman Butt suggests that the scales are somewhat tilted in favor of Pakistan for reasons beyond mere cricketing skills.
"In non-cricket terms, I mean the selection uncertainties, clarity in strategic plans, available talent pool, and the team's mental state," Butt said in an interview. "Both teams have strong credentials, and a one-sided game would not do justice to a Pakistan-India encounter," he added.
Salman Butt emphasized the critical role key players would play on the day of the match. "You can always expect a surprise performance from a new player, but it's the key players who will make the most difference," Butt said. He hailed India's Virat Kohli as a player with exceptional abilities to inspire and finish off matches. "Once Kohli settles, he has a way of elevating the whole team's batting," he stated.
Discussing the talent across the teams, Butt reserved special praise for India's Shubman Gill and expressed concerns about Mohammad Shami's form. He also commended Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi's bowling skills. "Shaheen's in-swinging yorkers with the new ball are his hallmark. I've never seen anyone bowl with such precision in the first few overs," he added.
Butt also spoke about the unpredictability of the Pallekele pitch, citing his experience playing in Sri Lanka. "It's hard to forecast how the pitch will behave. But I'd love to see a pitch that offers pace and bounce for quality stroke play," he said.
Contrasting the skills of Pakistan's current and former strike bowlers, Butt remarked, "Mohammad Amir had superior skill sets and was effective with both new and old balls across all formats." However, he praised Shaheen Afridi's current form and contribution to the Pakistan cricket team.
Touching upon Naseem Shah, Butt termed him as a 'clever bowler' who could be effective against India, especially with his swing and length. "Naseem has learned a lot from Dwayne Bravo while playing in the Caribbean League," he mentioned.
For India's Jasprit Bumrah, who recently returned from an injury, Butt suggested patience. "I hope they are not desperate with him; they should give him time to make a comeback," he opined.
Lastly, Butt commented on KL Rahul's recent form and team role, suggesting that the lack of a clear role had hindered his progress. "He was on track to become a world-class player, but the constant role-switching has confused him," he said.
Butt concluded that while both India and Pakistan have comparable spin attacks, he would've opted for R Ashwin over Axar Patel given the conditions in Sri Lanka. "Indian players are traditionally good players of spin, which will be a significant factor in the upcoming match," he noted.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs PAK, Asia Cup: Rivalry is there for people to talk about — Rohit Sharma ahead of high-voltage tie against Pakistan
India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: From Virat's Melbourne miracle to Rohit's Manchester madness, a recap on arch-rivals' recent battles
Asia Cup 2023: Hayden advises Rohit to exercise caution against Shaheen Afridi in India vs Pakistan slugfest
Asia Cup 2023, IND vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch India vs Pakistan; check all key details here
