Kohli will profit by the break he made, and is certain of him scoring runs in the match against Pakistan: Kaif

By Niharika RainNew Delhi, Aug 28 : Saturday saw the Asia Cup 2022 start off with a win for Afghanistan which defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the Group B game in Dubai.

However, on Sunday, the intensity in the Asia Cup go up a couple of steps higher when India play against Pakistan in the Dubai International Stadium.

Sundays match will see the return of the "greatest rivalry" in the game of cricket as India and Pakistan begin their Asia Cup Group A campaign.It is also the first time they will meet the two teams since facing each other in the mens T20 World Cup last year in the UAE in which Pakistan won a thrilling 10-wicket win over India which was their first victory in the World Cups for Men.Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif spoke about Sundays high-octane match during the ShareChat Audio Chatroom session titled "CricChat powered Parimatch.He talked about Virat Kohli returning after a break and preparing to play in his 100th T20I match, and on the possibility that the absence of left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi gives India an advantage in his preferred India playing eleven , and the advantages Pakistan has of having played frequently in Dubai.

Excerpts of questions asked by IANS, as well as other information in the audio chat Q: As everyone is aware, Virat Kohli is coming back from a break of one month and a half.What do you expect from Virat Kohli in terms of scoring runs in the Asia Cup? A: I believe Virat Kohli will gain of the break he took.His mind was sluggish because there was lots of thoughts in his head, which isnt a good thing for a player who hopes to not have any doubt in mind.

Doubts were surfacing in his mind due to the manner he performed and his performance was not the best.This was the first time in Virat Kohlis playing career that a moment was a reality when he was wondering what to do to gain runs.

Through his career, he has such dream moments where such phases were not present.He was scoring hundreds of runs, was playing in games for his team and inspiring others as an captain and leader and a lot of people were following the work Virat Kohli was doing in the field.

For the first time he was in a period in his life when the bat was not playing for about a year, and he was not the captain, as Rohit Sharma was taking over and many other players joined.I think that the time off he took could benefit him.The reason is that in the middle of a break you completely shut off and youre not in focus.In the time that India were playing against Zimbabwe and West Indies, there wasnt (much) focus on Virat Kohli which was a good thing.

I am certain that he will get some runs in the game (against Pakistan).Q: In Pakistan Shaheen Shah Afridi will not be able to compete in the Asia Cup due to a knee injury in the right.Do you think India have that bit of edge because Pakistan has no other left-arm pacer in their team? A: You cant exclude the new pacers of Pakistan even if theyre playing their first game.The issues they face are with the bat.But you cant be able to Pakistan pacers lightly, even if Shaheen Shah Afridi is not there.In the last year when Shaheen Shah Afridi played against India, he was a youngster, not an old pacer.

He accomplished his job with two wickets in two balls.He took out KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, who then flipped the game in his favor.

This error (of not estimating Pakistan pacers) will not be repeated by the Indian team.Pakistan pacers possess an incredible talent.

Whoever is playing, the challenge in the game isnt easy for Indian batters.Q: With India also not having Jasprit Bumrah in addition to Harshal Patel, what is the chance that it could offer an impressive Arshdeep Singh to increase his chances of being selected for the T20 World Cup selection through Asia Cup? A: Bumrah not being there and you must make up for it.His absence in the team can be a source of difficulty.I am a fan of Arshdeep Singh as a promising young player and appears to be a great pacer.

Hes got left-arm speed and is able to play the ball, and is able to hit yorkers and throws slower balls.The most important thing is that in the context of the situations in the game, he has a lot of knowledge of it.He is aware of which ball needs to be bowled, and which deliveries must be bowled at which batter.I am sure that he will be 100% sure to participate in the Sundays game.

Q If all the regular batting players returning like Kohli and KL Rahul, its assumed that there will only be one spot left for wicketkeeper-batter.If you had to pick between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik, which one would you choose in your 11 and why? A: Dinesh Karthik may not have a shot in the first game because you have an unproven goalkeeper in Rishabh Pant, and youre supporting him.Whats the length of time Dinesh Karthik can play is unknown since hes only 37.While Rishabh Pant hasnt had an outstanding record in T20Is, and has to cover up some but hes a player to watch to watch in the near future.He has the chance to play many of big games.

If he plays in games under pressure, he gets to become more efficient.I believe that Pant will have a head start ahead of Karthik (for the game against Pakistan).

Q The Pakistani batting team is highly dependent on the top three batters captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and left-hander Fakhar Zaman.After the top three they arent able to find many players with experience in the batsmens order.

Do you think this is a weakness that India can capitalize on? A: Youll never know what could occur with Pakistan.The top three players in their squad are Fakhar Zaman is one of the best batters.

The one small advantage of advantage Pakistan could have is that they can play plenty of matches at this venue.They have played plenty of Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches before being transferred back to Pakistan.

To play and practice games at these venues, players must have a solid knowledge of the field.Babar Azam has played a number of times there and he must be aware about angles and field placement.

Therefore, the advantage is present for Pakistan because its an ideal home field for them.Babar, Rizwan and Zaman have played many of matches in the country.

However, the issue is that their experienced trio of players are not there.No Shoaib Malik, no Mohammad Hafeez.

The last time India played Pakistan they had these guys present, which also helped them.Their top three are very solid, but later theyll have a problem since its not very powerful.

Q What do you think? what would be Indias ideal team for their highly anticipated match against Pakistan? A: If theres grass on the surface and its flat and three spinners are available, then they can even play.In the event that you dont, you can are able to use Hardik Pandya as an all-rounder in addition to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh.

They could become the four pacers with whom the team could take on the match, with, in addition to Jadeja and Chahal as spinners.If they dont want be playing Avesh Khan, they could play in with Ashwin or Ashwin.

It all is contingent on the conditions of the pitch and how India form their playing eleven.Q: In relation to the stadium for Sundays game, Dubai International Stadium, it doesnt have the traditional floodlights.Instead, theres a "ring of fire with lights installed on the edge of the roof.

What do the circular lighting scheme in the stadium affect fielders? A: When there are no lights and the ball moves slightly and then climbs to the height of 15-20 metres, the ball will come straight out of the lights.This isnt easy however good fielders will adapt to it.An excuse isnt a valid one since light was present therefore the catch was missed.You must discover ways to catch the ball or field them well.Under light, difficulties can occur.

In the days I played on the play in Mohali there were low lighting.I didnt enjoy the ground because the ball would be seen a bit late , and I would be late with the ball as well.

Therefore, there will be catches that are likely to be missed in the game as its not going to be easy to play.nr/ak.