Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has backed India to dominate Pakistan in the upcoming highly-anticipated match of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Clarke said India is going to enter the contest as favorites as Pakistan has had issues while facing the arch-rivals and also had off the field issues.
India has a 7-1 record against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup and will look to consolidate on that head to head record. Both India and Pakistan have won their two matches in the ongoing T20I showpiece and it would be interesting to note who would have the final laugh on Sunday.
“I’ve said it all along, I’m going to go India to win. I feel like Pakistan haven’t been able to handle the pressure that comes with playing against India over a long period of time now. I think Pakistan at the moment have got some issues off the field and have done for a little while. Even the conversation around whether they would play the game or not, does not help anyone in the team,” Clarke said on the ‘Beyond23 Cricket Podcast’.
The 2015 World Cup winning captain said India would have to make some mistakes for Pakistan to have a chance.
“But I think India are going to dominate, they are at their best. Pakistan are not at their best and they need to be. They need to play their absolute best game and India need to miss some opportunities for them to win. So India to beat Pakistan.”
Clarke highlighted that Sri Lankan wickets are more conducive to the spinners than the Indian tracks.
“Playing in Sri Lanka is very different to playing in India. The pitches turn a bit more and definitely a lot slower. So I don’t think you are going to see as many high scores. I reckon 190 is going to be about par,” he said.
The former Aussie captain India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match has been the talk of the town.
“India versus Pakistan, there has been a lot of talk from the past couple of weeks. Pakistan got a win as well. India look to be in absolute cracking form. So it is always a big game. The most recent publicity will probably only build that game up even more. From a World Cup perspective, all the talk is about that game now.”
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday.
