How Did India’s Game Awareness and Pressure Handling Impress Rashid Latif?
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Synopsis
In the Asia Cup 2025 final, Rashid Latif praised India's ability to manage pressure against Pakistan. He highlighted critical moments and the performance of Indian spinners. Discover what Latif believes about the game's turning points and Haris Rauf's predictability as he shares insights into the match dynamics.
Key Takeaways
- India's pressure handling was commendable.
- The Indian spinners executed effectively during critical overs.
- Pakistan struggled to regain momentum after losing wickets.
- Latif's insights shed light on areas for improvement for Pakistan.
- Adaptability in bowling is crucial for success in white-ball formats.
New Delhi, Sep 30 (NationPress) Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif remarked that the Indian cricket team demonstrated exceptional poise under pressure during Pakistan's batting innings, indicating that the Men in Green struggled to recover in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
The fierce rivals contested the tournament's final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, where the team led by Suryakumar Yadav claimed victory, marking their championship title win for an unprecedented ninth time.
Latif praised the performance of the Indian spinners during the crucial 15th to 17th overs of the first innings, acknowledging the team's high level of game awareness.
“It wasn’t merely that Pakistan bowled effectively; rather, India’s batting fell short. The Pakistan captain was unable to exert the necessary pressure. Once Indian spinners Kuldeep, Axar, and Varun took wickets, Pakistan couldn't regain their footing. India’s game awareness and their ability to manage the situation were commendable. When Abrar dismissed Sanju, the game could have shifted, but then Haris bowled and gave away 17 runs – that was a misstep for Pakistan,” Latif conveyed to IANS.
The 56-year-old criticized Haris Rauf, describing the fast bowler as ‘too predictable.’ He emphasized that Rauf must adapt to bowling with the new ball if he aims to thrive in white-ball cricket.
“Haris Rauf is overly predictable, while Shaheen Afridi performed adequately. His drawback is his lack of proficiency with the new ball; he needs to enhance this skill. The coaching staff has neglected this area – he has only been trained to bowl with the old ball. For Haris to thrive in international ODI and T20I formats, he must practice with the new ball,” he added.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the importance of game awareness in cricket. The ability to handle pressure gracefully distinguishes champions from the rest. This match showcased India's strengths and Pakistan's shortcomings, highlighting areas for improvement.
NationPress
30/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rashid Latif say about India's performance?
Rashid Latif praised India's strong game awareness and ability to manage pressure during their match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
Which players did Latif highlight in his comments?
Latif highlighted the performance of Indian spinners, including Kuldeep, Axar, and Varun, during crucial overs of the match.
What criticism did Latif have for Haris Rauf?
Latif criticized Haris Rauf for being 'too predictable' and emphasized the need for him to improve his bowling with the new ball.
