The highly-charged clash between the arch-rivals \u2013 their first since May\u2019s military conflict \u2013 has generated global buzz, with tickets already sold out, according to a news report.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India, the defending champions, have been in imperious form, winning 18 of their 21 T20 Internationals since claiming the World Cup last year. They underlined their status with a crushing nine-wicket win over hosts UAE in their opening game on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan, meanwhile, enter the Asia Cup buoyed by their tri-series triumph over Afghanistan and UAE, the report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it will be a competitive match,\u201d Akram told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). \u201cYes, India are a good and strong team and if you compare these two teams player-wise India look stronger, but I think Pakistan will have the confidence of winning the tri-series and will give a good competition.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wasim Akram said Pakistan have the building blocks in place under new captain Salman Agha and coach Mike Hesson, but also warned against expecting instant results.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cPakistan is a young side with a good captain and a good head coach, so they need time to settle into a stronger unit. We, as a nation, need quick results which will not come,\u201d he was quoted as saying by www.telecomasia.net<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The legendary left-arm pacer also highlighted areas of concern, particularly the form and role of Mohammad Haris, who has struggled since scoring a century against Bangladesh in May.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis young team is doing well. For me they have a few problems, like Mohammad Haris is not in the best of form but he is not playing at his usual number as opener,\u201d said Akram.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tough on Haris. I was speaking with Robin Uthappa (former Indian opener) during commentary and he told me that it\u2019s next to impossible for an opener to bat in the middle order, so Haris should be promoted up the order in the games.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The other worry, Akram warned, lies in the bowling attack. \u201cThe only problem for me is that you cannot have two part-time bowlers as a fifth bowling option. If you have two part-timers then the opponents will attack them. It will be good if you have five proper bowlers. If they get attacked, the pressure comes to batting.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The report said Akram praised India\u2019s current line-up, especially their bowling variety. \u201cJust like Pakistan, they have four good spinners and two seam-bowling options. Kuldeep and Varun are both good. It\u2019s tough to read them. Kuldeep was very accurate and lethal the other day.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He credited India\u2019s sustained strength to their cricketing structure. \u201cIndia has not reached this stage in a month. It was a long-time process. They have one of the best high-performance centres. They had Rahul Dravid and then Laxman so they have a set-up. If a player gets injured then he goes to the centre and gets proper rehab. They have a supremely standard IPL and their players do not go to any other league.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Wasim Akram, India\u2019s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is among the very best in the modern game, though he dismissed comparisons across eras.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He credited India\u2019s sustained strength to their cricketing structure. \u201cIndia has not reached this stage in a month. It was a long-time process. They have one of the best high-performance centres. They had Rahul Dravid and then Laxman so they have a set-up. If a player gets injured then he goes to the centre and gets proper rehab. They have a supremely standard IPL and their players do not go to any other league.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNow the batters do not leave anything, they thrash every other ball, so the pressure is more on the bowlers. Bumrah is top of the ladder and is being managed well by India. So credit to bowlers of this era because due to T20 cricket there is more pressure on them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n