Ahead of the blockbuster clash between the arch-rivals, former Pakistan skipper and legendary pacer Wasim Akram said that star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav will be crucial for the team and have the potential to hurt Pakistan in the Asia Cup. In 23 T20I matches, Suryakumar has smashed 672 runs at an average of 37.33 with five fifties and a very recent hundred – 117 in a closely-fought match against England at The Oval. India will be starting its Asia Cup campaign with a high-octane clash against Pakistan on August 28.

Asia Cup 2022 will be played in UAE, starting from August 27 through September 11.

“Of course, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are there, but one of my favourite players these days, in this shorter format is Suryakumar Yadav. He has been phenomenal. I saw him the first year when he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders and he played a couple of games batting at No. 7 and 8. And a couple of shots he played – the one that he picks from the middle of his bat towards fine leg – that’s an unusual and difficult shot to muster,” Wasim Akram said in a press conference organised by Star Sports.

“Since he made into the Indian squad. he has been a treat to watch. He is a very dangerous player against spin and fast bowling. Once he sets in, he is a 360 degree player. In my opinion, he will be one of the dangerous players not just against Pakistan, but for all the teams.”

Coming to the Asia Cup, the 15th edition of the tournament will be played in the UAE between six teams (main event). Defending champions India are also the most successful team, having won the trophy seven times. While the last edition of the tournament was held in an ODI format, this edition will feature the T20 format.

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The six teams are divided into two groups with India, Pakistan and a qualifying team in Group A; and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan forming Group B. Each team plays the other once in the group stage with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super 4 round. The top 2 teams from Super 4 will qualify for the final.

India squad for Asia Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan.