Rashid Latif declares India, IPL way superior to Pakistan, PSL; gives reality check to his own nation

The former skipper, Rashid Latif, has claimed Pakistan to be a weak team while lauding the IPL for India's strong base in the shortest format of the game. He cited that India stands a 75% chance in the game ahead of their clash on Sunday.

Just ahead of the Asia Cup Super-4 contest between India and Pakistan on Sunday, former batter Latif has claimed the Men in Blue to be the dominant side. The tension is expected to remain high when players from both nations take the field at the Dubai International Stadium.

"India is a strong team" - Rashid Latif issues major verdict ahead of Asia Cup rematch

A lot has been happening on and off the field, and Pakistan has canceled their pre-match press conference for the second time in a row after the UAE match. Though no specific reason has been cited, this has led to a new drama in the Asia Cup 2025.

"There is a lot of tension between India and Pakistan, and now it has reached the ground as well, which was not the case earlier," Rashid Latif told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

The shortest format of the game is likely the most unpredictable format by international standards. Even the former batter feels the same and claims that in T20Is, anyone can win on their day, but also admits that India has more of a chance for victory.

"In T20, anything can happen. Oman played very well yesterday. It's difficult to pick favourites in T20Is. In ODIs and Tests, you can say who is favourite and who is not. But in T20Is, you can’t. But if we look in hindsight, India is a strong team," he added.

"There is a gulf of difference between IPL and PSL" - Rashid Latif

The former skipper has credited the robust domestic setup within the Indian province and the Indian Premier League as the primary reason for the side's dominance across all formats of the game.

"The competition (IPL) Indian players play is of high quality. Pakistan plays in the PSL. There is a gulf of difference between IPL and PSL," Rashid Latif claimed.

"The difference between the two sides is also the experience. This Indian team is also a bit inexperienced, with senior players like Rohit, Virat and Jadeja retiring. And even though they don’t have much experience, they have played some high-quality cricket," he said.

"Only individual brilliance can help Pakistan win" - Rashid Latif mentions that Pakistan can win only by fluke

Rashid Latif claimed that Pakistan has a fragile batting order since not one but several of their players have not shown promising form with the bat. He has criticized openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub and has also taken a dig at the unusual batting position cited for many crucial players in the lineup.

"Pakistan looks like a weak team and everyone can see it. But you can’t write them off as well. It is 75-25 to India. India are favourites," Latif said.

"You sometimes see one player not in form, but for Pakistan, the scenario is different. Saim Ayub is not in form, captain Salman Ali Agha is not in form, Mohammad Haris is struggling, Sahibzada Farhan is not looking in touch, Hasan Nawaz is struggling. If five of the top six batters are struggling, then it gets difficult," he added.

The former Pakistani player feels that Pakistan can beat India only if one of their players has an exceptional day out; otherwise, India would be reckoned as the dominant side.

"Only individual brilliance can help Pakistan win. Kisi ne kar diya toh kar diya (if someone has that kind of a day, then it’s fine). No doubt India is a very strong team and it will be difficult for Pakistan to register a win against India," he concluded.

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