Sharjah was synonymous with India-Pakistan matches for most of the Eighties and Nineties as a neutral venue. Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal and Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, the brains behind the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series, were largely instrumental in bringing cricket into the UAE before the 2001 match-fixing scandal brought an untimely pause to the game there.
Pakistan then enjoyed an extraordinary superiority over India in Sharjah, a venue which now lives in the shadow of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Things have undergone a massive change since Pakistan no longer enjoy the domination that was once part of cricketing folklore.
Asif, 78, who is now settled in Kent, the English county for which he played with distinction, thinks no team can be considered favourites in the high-voltage clash in Dubai on Sunday.
But, Asif said, India have the ability to bounce back even if they lose to Pakistan.
“India are better placed because they have quality players with all-round abilities. But going by current performances, any team can come up trumps. Even if India lose the opener, their chances of bouncing back and winning the T20 World Cup will be more than Pakistan,” Asif told The Telegraph on Saturday.
“India enjoy an invincible tag now. They have explosive batsmen, all-rounders and crafty bowlers. The Indians are made to look indomitable because most of their players performed outstandingly in the IPL. Add to it their exemplary recent performances in overseas conditions.
“This format is highly unpredictable and an over is enough to change the complexion of the match. Even an unfancied side can make the most of the format. So the best team doesn’t always win in T20 cricket,” said Asif, whose last Test match was in Calcutta in February 1980.
He, however, felt franchise cricket is different from international cricket.
“Sport or international cricket for that matter is a test of your mindset, mental attitude based on talent. It’s about how well you can handle your talent... And mental strength is more important to deal with talent.
“Pakistan have to harness talent which the Indians have been doing well over the last few years,” Asif said.
India’s decision to have MS Dhoni as team mentor drew praise from Asif. “It was a good decision to have him around. He is a cricketing god to some of the youngsters in the side. He will be able to strengthen their mental attitude.
“I am all for having a mentor than the fancied coaches who move around a team. At this level it’s all about the mental strength and how you approach a certain situation. Even Pakistan should have someone as mentor with their team. I was surprised when Matthew Hayden was appointed batting consultant since he hardly knows much about coaching,” Asif said.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding T20 cricket, Asif is expecting a surprise winner. “Indians have been playing too much cricket. All the players have been in the IPL and they could also be victims of bubble fatigue. I wouldn’t be surprised if a third country, other than India and Pakistan who are familiar with the conditions, win the trophy.”
