The Asia Cup has begun and the biggest thrilling match for cricket lovers is going to be – India vs Pakistan. Like every time, this time too fans are eagerly waiting for this high-voltage match. But this time before the match, a big controversial comment has come to the fore regarding the Pakistan team. A senior member of the Pakistan Cricket Selection Committee has given such a statement, which has not only created a stir within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), but it is also being discussed fiercely on social media.

Big statement of Pakistani selector

The former captain of Pakistan and a member of the current selection committee strongly criticized the team and said that “It is almost impossible to defeat India with this team, because many mistakes have been made in the selection process.” He believes that some players have been given a place in the team only due to kinship and old relations, bypassing the performing players.

He also said that there is a huge lack of balance in the team, especially in the middle order and bowling department. “If our bowling does not get success in the initial overs, India will beat us easily,” he said.

Debate started on social media

As soon as this statement went viral, Pakistani cricket fans were divided into two parts. Some people are supporting the selector’s statement and believe that Pakistan’s team is really looking weak. On the other hand, some people are calling it “mind game before the match”. They say that this statement has been given only to reduce the pressure and take the Indian team lightly.

Hashtags INDvsPAK and AsiaCup are trending on Twitter. Indian fans are making funny memes about this statement and saying that Pakistan has already given up mentally.

History of India-Pakistan match

If we talk about records, India has had the upper hand in the matches played between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup. In the last few years, the Indian team has defeated Pakistan in most of the matches in big tournaments. With batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the Indian batting lineup is very strong. On the other hand, the strength of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja in bowling makes the team balanced.

On the other hand, Pakistan has star batsmen like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. In bowling, pacers like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf can put any batting lineup in trouble. But the weakness of the team’s middle order has been a matter of concern for Pakistan for a long time.

Who has more pressure before the match?

Experts believe that the pressure is equal on both teams, but this statement of the Pakistani selector can affect the morale of the players. Questioning the selection of the team at a time when the biggest match of the tournament is ahead can shake the confidence of the players.

On the other hand, the Indian team is currently in great form. India has performed brilliantly in the recent international series, due to which the morale of the players is high. On the other hand, Pakistan has faced defeat in some recent matches, due to which their fans are already angry.

Fans’ reaction

Indian fans are writing on social media –

“Admitted defeat before the match? This is too early surrender.”

On the other hand, Pakistani fans are saying –

“The truth is that the balance of the team is not right. Until the selection is done away from politics, the results will remain the same.”

Is this a mind game?

Many cricket experts believe that this statement could be a part of a mind game. Pakistan has always been under mental pressure in big matches against India. In such a situation, this statement could be an attempt to divert the attention from the team to the Indian players. But will it make a difference? This will be known only after the match.

Conclusion

The India-Pakistan match of Asia Cup is not just a game of cricket, but a confluence of emotions of crores of fans. Like every time, this time too the fans of both the countries will be glued to the TV screen. This controversial statement of the Pakistani selector is making the match even more exciting. Now it remains to be seen whether Pakistan can surprise by performing contrary to the expectations of its selector, or India will once again prove why it is considered the strongest team of Asia.