Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif on Friday revealed why Pakistan frequently loses most of its cricket encounters against India. Latif said he believed that Pakistan’s emotional burden has cost his team crucial games in recent years. India has won 12 of the 15 completed matches it has played against Pakistan over the past decade.
“There is pressure on Pakistan that the cricket team has been carrying for the last 30 years. We get emotional or hyper and try to do everything in one go. We don’t take the games deep against India, and because of this, Pakistan lose most of the time,” the former cricketer explained.
The two nations are set to face each other in a Group A match of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
Mixed reactions from fans
As tensions turn at an all-time high ahead of the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on September 14, marking India’s second group fixture of the Asia Cup, fans continue to express mixed feelings about team India playing its rivals. India defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in its first match by 9 wickets. The Indian team bowled out the UAE for just 57 runs in 13.1 overs.
The team achieved the target in just 4.3 overs with a loss of one wicket.
The tension stems from the fact that this game will mark the first time India and Pakistan face off in a cricket match since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor earlier this year.
Latif on Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah
After pondering over the reasons for Pakistan’s failure to seal victory against India in their recent clashes, Latif went on to praise the Indian team for their admirable efforts and highlighted the contribution of some key players who, according to him, reserve the capability to completely change the flow of the game at any given moment.
“India, on the other hand, plays according to the pitch and match situation, and that’s why they succeed,” Latif said in an interview with PTI.
Latif pointed to India’s current strengths, including Hardik Pandya’s finishing abilities and the team’s overall balance. “He is an amazing player who can completely change the game at a moment’s notice. I guess that’s why he’s called the X-factor,” Latif added.
“Players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Surya Kumar Yadav also bring balance and composure to the team. Bumrah, I believe, is India’s greatest asset in bowling and presents a big threat. Overall, it’s a very good team.” Latif emphasised.