The much anticipated India vs Pakistan clash is just round the corner and the pre-match predictions are allready doing rounds. Now Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has donned the prediction hat and predicted a 2-dimensional verdict. The Mumbai batsman believes India are one of the main contenders to lift the Asia Cup, but crowned Pakistan as the favourites as the men in green are regularly playing in United Arab Emirates. Also read: Sourav Ganguly names his overwhelming favourite to lift the Asia Cup 2018
Pakistan are yet to lose an ODI in UAE since 2016. The Sarfraz Ahmed led side has won 9 ODI matches on a trot in UAE. They pipped minnows Hong Kong by 8 wickets in their opening clash.
“I think Pakistan start as favourites more than India, because they have been playing in those conditions (in the UAE) for a while now and it’s a team which is on the surge.
“India, of course, are resting Virat (Kohli), which takes a lot of strength away from the team,” Manjrekar, an ESPNcricinfo expert, told PTI as reported by Times of India.
“India are obviously one of the contenders, but when you look at favouritism, (question arises) which team can be rated as the strongest.
“It’s Pakistan because of where it (the tournament) is being played,” explained Manjrekar.
Also read: Sunil Gavaskar predicts the overwhelming favourite to win Asia Cup 2018
India has a good record in 50 overs format- Manjrekar
“India is a very good 50 overs outfit. India in the Test matches struggled a bit overseas, but if you look at their 50-over record, its very good in all conditions.
