Ramiz Raja, a former captain of Pakistan and a much-in-demand commentator on TV, spoke to The Telegraph on Thursday evening.

The interaction with the 1992 World Cup winner was limited to the ongoing Asia Cup.

Excerpts....

Q Well... Pakistan were most awful in this tournament. What happened?

A Not in the last couple of years have I seen such a shackled, lacking in confidence performance from Pakistan. Mistakes will be made, but it’s criminal to keep repeating them... Pakistan have generally been known to bounce back, but that ability comes from (a) possessing the required skill and (b) having the confidence to bounce back. For whatever reasons, both were in short supply... Pakistan just couldn’t stand up when weighed against stronger opponents than Zimbabwe.

Q Pakistan looked intimidated...

A The batsmen may have wanted to be aggressive, but lacked the tools. How can you be aggressive if you’re actually doubting yourself? It won’t work out.

Q But do Pakistan have players who should, in fact, have been in the UAE?

A I think this lot is the best, it’s just that it appeared Pakistan never turned up at the Asia Cup. Maybe, it had something to do with Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy. He struggled behind the wickets and with the bat. It did affect Sarfraz’s captaincy.

Q What’s the way out?

A There probably isn’t a way out. Sarfraz needs to rediscover himself... Somebody has to sit down with Sarfraz and tell him where he’s going wrong. He has a fixed formula, but captains need to be flexible and be ready to deviate from any script. Cricket, especially when it comes to the white-ball formats, is dynamic. In Abu Dhabi, for example, when Bangladesh were three down for 12, Sarfraz should have gone for the kill. He didn’t and a terrific opportunity was wasted... Bangladesh could, after all, have been bowled out for 150. Of course, it’s another matter that a consistently misfiring Pakistan may have themselves been bowled out for even less.

Q Fakhar Zaman (56 runs in five matches) and Mohammed Aamir (wicketless in three outings) have been the two biggest disappointments...

A Fakhar has a technical issue, which has still not been addressed. He closes the face of the bat and can’t play through off... Then, because Fakhar isn’t strong technically, if he loses form, he takes time to get it back... Aamir looks disinterested. He’s fired up only in his first spell, but not thereafter if it hasn’t been fruitful... Aamir tends to switch off and has mood swings. We’ve lost a match winner... I understand Aamir has fitness issues and is definitely not keen on Test cricket.

Q Then Aamir shouldn’t be selected for Pakistan...

A Well, Aamir does get dropped.

[Late in the day, news came that Aamir had been dropped for the forthcoming two-Test series against Australia.]

Q Your thoughts on Friday’s final...

A India have a distinct edge, even though a final does have its pressure. Unless Bangladesh can get the openers (stand-in captain Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan) early, it may well be curtains all too soon. That said, I must add that Bangladesh played a smart hand against Pakistan in what became a semi-final.

Q With Virat Kohli rested, manyfelt Pakistan would be the favourites...

A I agree. In fact, I asked Sarfraz just that after Pakistan got knocked out. He didn’t have an answer.

Q What has been India’s USP in this Asia Cup?

A Brilliant bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. They have been most effective. Bumrah, in particular, has such control and doesn’t lack pace either.

Q Who could pose a threat to India?

A Don’t see a real threat... Could be Mustafizur Rahman.

Q How has Rohit’s captaincy been?

A I’d say Rohit has been very good... India had to quickly acclimatise and were certainly rusty in their first match (against Hong Kong)... Rohit had to ensure that the team quickly settled down and he did so... Matches against Pakistan have high pressure, but Rohit gave a good account of himself both times. He looked assured. Plus, Rohit got runs as well.

Q Pakistan never looked like wanting to compete in both matches against India...

A You cannot but be totally involved when playing in an India vs Pakistan match. As they say, you have to turn up.

Q Would you too pick Afghanistan as the team of the tournament?

A Afghanistan should have been in the final, but they are back home.

Q Message for Asghar Afghan and his players...

A Keep it up... I love the passion Afghanistan display and the dedication with which they field...You only have to look at the quality of the run outs when India were batting... Going forward, Afghanistan need a technically accomplished opener and a quality middle order batsman. The rest they have.

Q Last one... We’ll be back home on Saturday, but you’ll be in the UAE for some time to come, for the Pakistan vs Australia Tests... How do you intend surviving in this dreadful heat?

A (Laughs) Neither going for the toss nor for the end-of-day interviews or the presentation! Basically, staying indoors.