Waseem Akram finds 'faults' in Pakistan team ahead of Asia Cup

Legendary cricketer Wasim Akram expressed his opinion about the upcoming Asia Cup and commented that the lack of experience in middle-order batting of the national team is a bit concerning ahead of the T20 Asia Cup 2022.

Speaking on an Indian sports channel, Akram highlighted Pakistan's weakness in middle-order batting. 

"Pakistan has been consistent over the past couple of years. They found some really good players. Only their middle-order batting is a bit concerning. They only have Iftikhar Ahmed who will come at number 4 with some experience. Otherwise, most of the batters are too young," he said. 

"Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will be the key for Pakistan. If they perform, Pakistan will make it to a good stage," believes the former Test cricketer. 

While talking about Pakistan vs India, Akram said Pakistan has gained much confidence from their last victory against the arch-rivals in T20 World Cup 2021. 

"Last year's victory gave Pakistan confidence to compete against India. In general, the side looks confident. Now, it depends on how they react on the game day," he concluded. 

Pakistan and India will take on each other in their opening game of the T20 Asia Cup 2022. 

Wasim Akram: Pakistan believe they can 'compete against India day-in and day-out'
Wasim Akram believes Pakistan's win over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup has made them believe "they can compete against India day in and day out". He feels what was once a one-sided rivalry at World Cups has suddenly come alive.

"Pakistan team is on the rise for the past couple of years," Akram said during a media session organised by Star Sports. "They've been consistent, and I think the win against India, although that was a year ago during the World Cup, gave them a bit of confidence that they can compete against India day in and day out."

When Pakistan won their opening game of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE by ten wickets, it was their first win against India in six attempts at the competition. It was also the first time Pakistan had won a men's World Cup fixture in any format against India, across 13 matches. It was a win that spurred their impressive run to the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Australia.

As they look to finetune their preparations for this year's T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan will look to channel that spirit of 2021. This weekend, India and Pakistan will lock horns for the first time in a year when they meet in the Asia Cup in Dubai. In fact, over the next two weeks, they could potentially meet three times, ahead of their high-stakes T20 World Cup fixture in Melbourne on October 23.

Akram is optimistic of Pakistan's chances, but is aware that the team's strength - the top order - could become a weakness. Since the start of last year's T20 World Cup, Pakistan's top three have scored 67.53% of all the runs made by the team in T20Is. This has largely been down to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman.