Deep Dasgupta opined that Pakistan have not played good cricket in the last couple of years, despite having a few good players in their ranks. However, the former India wicketkeeper warned Suryakumar Yadav and Co. not to become complacent as they take on the Men in Green in match No. 2 of the Super-Four stage of the 2025 Asia Cup on Sunday, September 21, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India had registered a comfortable seven-wicket win against Pakistan in the group-stage clash in Dubai
last week. Salman Agha's men had to beat the UAE in a do-or-die clash to progress to the Super Four. On Sunday, Pakistan will look to exact revenge on their arch-rivals and put them under pressure as far as qualification to the finals in concerned.
“Pakistan hasn't played good cricket for a couple of years now. They have good individual players, but they haven't clicked as a unit. That said, they're always dangerous, and in this format, you can't take anyone lightly," Dasgupta was quoted as saying by India Today ahead of Sunday's clash.
"There's still a clear difference in quality between India and Pakistan at the moment, but Pakistan remains a dangerous side," he added.
Dasgupta feels that Pakistan will have to come out with better plans ahead of their meeting with Indian spin duo - Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy. The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the Pakistan batters had no clue while facing Kuldeep and Varun in the previous meeting.
"Against Kuldeep and Varun, they just had no clue. I'm sure they'll prepare better this time. Hopefully, the headlines will be from the cricket field and not off it," Dasgupta analysed.
I still have a lot of faith in him (Shubman Gill): Dasgupta
Shubman Gill was appointed as India's T20I vice-captain ahead of the Asia Cup. The Punjab batter hasn't been able to live up to his reputation so far in the Asia Cup. In three innings, he has only aggregated 35 runs at an average of 17.50. However, Dasgupta urged fans to give him a bit more time to get himself into T20 mode after playing exemplary cricket during the recent Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.
"This (T20) is a high-risk, high-reward format. Gill has made a few technical adjustments for red-ball cricket, and that's given him success. But to switch back (to T20s) takes time. He's quality, no two ways about it. He just needs to get back to his old self again. I still have a lot of faith in him," Dasgupta said
