India clear favourites for Asia Cup, says Farveez Maharoof

Farveez Maharoof backs India as favourites for the Men’s T20 Asia Cup, praising their fast-bowling attack with Bumrah, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are dark horses, ahead of the UAE tournament

New Delhi: Former Sri Lanka fast-bowling all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has backed India to win the upcoming Men’s T20 Asia Cup, calling them “clear favourites” based on the composition of their squad.

India have won the Asia Cup eight times, including the T20I edition held in Bangladesh in 2016. The 17th edition, scheduled in the UAE from September 9-28, marks India’s first T20I outing since their 4-1 series win against England at home in January.

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“I would think clear favourites for me are India, looking at how their side is. Dark horses for me, I’ll say Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. One big reason is that in big tournaments, it’s about performance on that particular day in T20 cricket,” Maharoof told media on the sidelines of the CLT10 league.

India will open their Group A campaign against the UAE at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10, followed by a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on September 14, before facing Oman at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.

Maharoof also praised India’s fast-bowling attack, highlighting spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and support from Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, and Shivam Dube.

“It’s hard to say which pace attack is best, but India has a strong set-up with Bumrah. Pakistan is also up there. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are equal. Probably India and Pakistan are equal, then Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are equal,” he added.

The Super Four stage will take place from September 20-26, with the final in Dubai on September 28. The Asia Cup also serves as preparation for India ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, where they enter as defending champions.