Rashid Latif on Pakistan's Emotional Struggles Against India

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has openly discussed a significant challenge that his team faces during matches against their arch-rival India. According to Latif, emotions often get the better of the Pakistani players in high-pressure situations, leading them to make hasty decisions. This emotional turmoil can be detrimental, especially in crucial games, which is why Pakistan has a poor track record against India.

As the two teams prepare to clash again in the Asia Cup, the stakes are high. Latif emphasized that Pakistan tends to rush their game, trying to achieve everything at once instead of playing strategically. In contrast, India excels by adapting to the pitch and match situations, which has contributed to their success in recent encounters.

Over the past decade, the two neighboring countries have only faced each other in international tournaments due to ongoing political tensions, with India winning 12 out of 15 completed matches in this period. Notable matches include the 2022 T20 World Cup, where India secured a dramatic win thanks to Virat Kohli's outstanding performance, and a subsequent Asia Cup match where India defeated Pakistan by a massive 228 runs.

Latif believes that the pressure of expectations is a burden that Pakistan has carried for the last 30 years, and this could give India an advantage in the upcoming match. However, he also pointed out a potential weakness in the Indian team. India has not played a T20I match for a while, which could be a disadvantage as they head into the tournament. Their last series was against England in January, meaning they might not have the same match fitness as their opponents.

On the other hand, Pakistan comes into the Asia Cup having played a triangular series on challenging spinning tracks. Latif feels that this experience may help them adapt quickly to varying conditions. As the rivalry continues to intensify, all eyes will be on how both teams perform under pressure.