Are India the Favorites Against Pakistan in the Asia Cup?
Synopsis
As the Asia Cup approaches, Monty Panesar shares his insights on India's strong position against Pakistan. With a balanced team and recent victories, India seems poised for success. Can they maintain this momentum in the upcoming clash? Read on to find out more about the match dynamics and team strategies.
Key Takeaways
India is considered the favorite against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Monty Panesar emphasizes India's balanced squad.
Political tensions are affecting public interest in the match.
India and Pakistan have both secured impressive wins in their initial matches.
This tournament marks a shift for India without key veterans.
New Delhi, Sep 13 (NationPress) Former England spinner Monty Panesar asserts that India is in a favorable position as they gear up for their Asia Cup showdown against their long-standing rivals Pakistan in Dubai. He confidently endorses Suryakumar Yadav’s squad as the clear favorites in this much-anticipated encounter on Sunday.
Having closely monitored India-Pakistan matches in the past, Panesar noted that the Men in Blue appear to have a more cohesive lineup, combining exceptional batsmen with top-tier bowlers, which gives them a significant advantage over their historical competitors.
“In my opinion, India stands as the favorites for victory, as their squad is notably stronger. Pakistan needs to elevate their game by 10-20 percent to compete effectively,” Panesar shared with IANS on Sunday. “The clash between India and Pakistan captivates global audiences, and the tension is palpable. In today’s match, India has the upper hand, given that Pakistan is currently not a formidable team.”
There's a noticeable lack of excitement among the populace regarding this match, attributed to the strained political relations between the two nations, particularly following the military confrontation in May that was ignited by the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
In response, the Indian Armed Forces conducted Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir that have instigated attacks against India.
According to a notification from the Union Sports Ministry, India is permitted to face Pakistan in “international and multilateral events,” but cannot engage in “bilateral sports events within each other’s territories.”
India kicked off their Asia Cup journey with a resounding nine-wicket victory over the UAE. In contrast, Pakistan also claimed a decisive 93-run win against Oman in Dubai on Friday.
This tournament marks a significant shift for India, as it is the first major multilateral competition without veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, following their retirements from the T20I format last year.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is participating without former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were not selected for this continental tournament in the UAE.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the importance of sports as a unifying force, even amidst political tensions. The Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan is not just about cricket; it's a reflection of the enduring rivalry and camaraderie in the sporting world. While Monty Panesar's insights highlight India's strengths, the unpredictability of sports always leaves room for surprises.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is favored to win the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan?
According to Monty Panesar, India is favored to win due to their stronger team composition.
What impact do political relations have on the match?
The strained political relations between India and Pakistan have led to a lack of hype around the match, affecting public excitement.
How did India and Pakistan perform in their previous matches?
India started their Asia Cup campaign with a nine-wicket victory over the UAE, while Pakistan defeated Oman by 93 runs.
