Ricky Ponting picks winner of India vs Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup

The Asia Cup is set to reignite the epic rivalry between neighbours India and Pakistan as the arch-rivals will clash in a blockbuster group stage match on the 28th of August in Dubai. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting chose his winner for the high voltage clash between the two cricketing giants.

Notably, the sides will also meet in an epic clash in the T20 WC later this year at the iconic MCG. Aussie great and three-time World Cup winner Ricky Ponting contended that India are the favourites heading into the epic clash against Pakistan and reckoned the Men in Blue are likely to lift the trophy, owing to their incredible squad depth.

“I’ll stick with India to win that clash against Pakistan. That’s taking nothing away from Pakistan because they are an incredible cricket nation that continues to present out-and-out superstar players. Their depth is definitely better than the other teams, and I think India will win the Asia Cup,” Ponting told Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

India and Pakistan last met in the 2021 T20 World Cup group stage encounter, where the Men in Blue suffered a harrowing defeat and will be out for vengeance this time around. While the Indian team has been rejuvenated under the new leadership of the mercurial Rohit Sharma, Pakistan has shown no signs of weakness under Babar Azam either, making the clash a must-watch affair.

India-Pakistan rivalry would be the pinnacle of Test match cricket for those two countries: Ricky Ponting

India and Pakistan have not engaged in a bilateral series for more than a decade due to the ongoing political tussle between the neighbours. Ponting stated that seeing the two Asian heavyweights renew their rivalry in the most extended format of the game will take Test cricket to the next level for both countries, sighting the contest between Australia and England in the Ashes.

“When I think about rivalries, Australia and England and Ashes cricket is the pinnacle. I’ve always thought of it for our Test match game. I’m sure India and Pakistanis will say the same about that and the actual rivalry would be the pinnacle of Test match cricket for those two countries as well,” Ponting added.