NEW DELHI: Former Australian leg-spinner and World Cup winner Brad Hogg feels the outcome of the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan hinges on the battle between Shaheen Afridi and the Indian top-order batters. And if Pakistan want to get on top of the game, they need to get rid of star Indian batter Virat Kohli early in the contest.
India will play their opening match against Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy and Hogg believes that the spotlight will be on this star-studded confrontation, with the ultimate result potentially determined by the performance of India's seasoned batting lineup against Pakistan's formidable fast-bowling strength.
"I definitely will be watching it. It is one of the biggest contests that we can have. Look, politics gets in the way of sports everywhere. It’s here in Australia, England everywhere. We are just missing the rivalry between the two countries on the cricket field. It will be better for Pakistan as well because they will get the exposure. We want those contests to happen. India has a more dominant batting. Pakistan with their pace attack has a slight advantage, especially with left arm Shaheen. He is a quality bowler. When you have a left-arm fast bowler who swings the ball with pace and gets them to come in for the right-handers it does make it difficult,” said Hogg on Backstage with Boria.
On being asked to comment on the battle between Shaheen and Indian top-order, Hogg said, "I think Shaheen will have a chance with the deliveries that come in against right-handers. If Pakistan can expose Virat Kohli early in the contest against the new ball in front of Shaheen. The contest between Shaheen against the Indian top three will be decisive. So, for me, that’s going to be where the game will be won and lost between India and Pakistan."
1/10:Asia Cup 2023: All you need to know
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2/10:Asia Cup
<p>Six nations will compete for cricket's Asia Cup from Wednesday, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. </p>Getty Images
3/10:50-over format
<p>Won by Sri Lanka a year ago over the T20 format, this year the Asia Cup reverts to 50 overs. </p>Getty Images
4/10:The format
<p>The top two teams from each group advance to the Super Four with the leading two in the standings contesting the final in Colombo on September 17. </p>Getty Images
5/10:India
<p>India have won more Asia Cup trophies than anyone and led by Rohit Sharma, enter the tournament as favourites as they go for an eighth title. </p>Getty Images
6/10:Pakistan
<p>Pakistan have been winners in 2000 and 2012 (both 50-over) and led by Babar Azam, will stage 4 matches with the remaining 9, including the final in Sri Lanka. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Sri Lanka
<p>Sri Lanka have won the trophy six times (across formats), but have been hit by injuries for this edition, in which they will be led by Dasun Shanaka. </p>Getty Images
8/10:Bangladesh
<p>Bangladesh have made it to three Asia Cup finals without winning and captain Tamim Iqbal has pulled out with a back injury and replaced by Shakib Al Hasan. </p>Getty Images
9/10:Afghanistan
<p>On their Asia Cup debut in 2014, Afghanistan won their second match against Bangladesh and now led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, can on their day pose a threat to the top teams. </p>AFP
10/10:Nepal
<p>Nepal reached the World Cup qualifiers earlier this year, but failed to qualify for the 50-over showpiece. Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal are making their debut. </p>AFPHogg went on to talk about India's stalwart batter Kohli and commented on him and said, "I was looking at Kohli’s stats the other day. Tendulkar got a slightly better conversion rate of 100s. Kohli’s got a better record. I just think he has got his hunger back and a little bit of pressure taken off him. I think he’s got unfinished business and that’s probably the big danger for opposition teams. That innings against Pakistan here at the MCG, hitting Haris Rauf back over his head of good length. That was the best shot that I have ever seen in cricket. It was brilliant. Fans got to realise that there is a lot of pressure on Kohli. He also can have ups and downs even the great Tendulkar had ups and downs. When he has got that right frame of mind and has that pressure off his back we see a dominant Kohli. I am not worried about the Indian batting. I am probably worried about the Indian bowling attack. It is their bowling which doesn’t get them off to a good start."
After the Asia Cup's conclusion, teams will prepare for the ICC ODI World Cup. The former World Cup-winning Australian spinner picked South Africa as the dark horse to make it to the semis.
"Well, the West Indies are out of it. I love the Netherlands and they might upset a team or two, maybe South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka won’t be involved in the top 4. England too might not make it to the last four as they do not have a stabilised middle order. They don’t have Jofra and I just don’t think they know what their bowling combination will be. We are not going to see a dominant England. They rely too heavily on their top three. I don’t think their middle order has enough experience so they are out of the fire. Pakistan with their spin and pace strength will be very good defensively. Their batters are too aggressive enough. Australia will be going in as favourites. They have enough variety in the middle order, India on their home soil with powerful batting and bowling. South Africa can be the biggest surprise package. Keshav Maharaj can play a huge role. They have quality batting depth and have two fiery pace bowlers in Nortje and Rabada. So, South Africa for me is the team that could upset India and Australia," said Hogg.
Finally on being asked to comment on Kuldeep Yadav, the Aussie chinaman bowler said, "He had a great IPL this year. He has come back well. What defines a player is someone who has been dropped. He has been out of the game, and worked on his action. He is not falling away as much. He is now getting more revolution on the ball and drift as well. I think Rohit captains him well. He is a fighter. Absolutely loved the way he went about it. Just loved the way he has come back into that team and just performed straightaway. I think he will play a big part in the World Cup. I will play Kuldeep against Australia."
(With ANI inputs)
