India stronger side, Pakistan needs collective effort for victory: Afridi
Afridi says India has more match-winners compared to it’s arch-rival Pakistan
Dubai: Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi firmly believes India is clearly the stronger side given that it has more match-winners compared to it’s arch-rivals, and the best way to negate that advantage in the upcoming Champions Trophy marquee clash would be to put in a collective effort.
Pakistan are in a must-win situation when it takes on India here on Sunday after suffering a massive 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi.
India, on the other hand, will come into the high-voltage contest on the back of a sure-footed performance against Bangladesh.
“If we talk about match-winners, I’d say that India has more match-winners compared to Pakistan. A match-winner is someone who knows how to win the game single-handedly. Right now, we don’t have such players in Pakistan,” former Pakistan skipper Afridi said on JioHotstar.
He said that India’s middle and lower-order had played vital roles in the team’s wins, while the same could not be said about Pakistan. “India’s strength lies in its middle and lower order, which has been winning them matches. For a long time, we have been giving opportunities to players, but no one has stepped up consistently. “Some have performed in a few games, but we don’t have players who have sustained their performance for a year or two or across 50-60 matches. That’s where we are a little weaker compared to India, which is very strong in this area.”
Afridi said every player in Pakistan side will have to give his best in order to overcome the arch-rivals.
