Is Pakistan Stronger than India in Asia Cup 2023?

Pakistan vs India has been the highlight of many Asia Cup competitions, and it’s no different in 2023. Many predictors claim that the Asia Cup 2023 title is between both teams, but fans can’t seem to pick the stronger team.

India has had a good run in Asia Cup competition, running away with the most titles (7). Pakistan is still way behind with two titles from 2000 and 2012, but many fans expect them to put up a strong outing as the hosts.

Let’s check out which team is stronger and where there could be upsets from the other participating teams at Asia Cup 2023.

Is Pakistan Stronger than India in Asia Cup 2023?

It would be too close to call the stronger team if Pakistan vs India happens with fully-fit players on both sides. However, India has a better historical record against Pakistan in the competition and could look to exert greater dominance over their rivals.   

Pakistan could have relied on their advantage as the host country, but India’s insistence on a hybrid model took all that away. Pakistan will only host (4) games on home soil while the rest, including the final, will take place in Sri Lanka. The Men in Green can take advantage of their home game against Nepal on 30 August, 2023 to set a marker for their entire outing.

The Pakistan team also doesn’t have many injury troubles, so they could look to take advantage of this against India. Recovering Team India players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah could come under intense Pakistani assaults on September 2, 2023.

Can Any Other Team Challenge Pakistan or India for the Asia Cup 2023 Title?

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the biggest challenge to Pakistan and India at the Asia Cup 2023. With six (6) titles to their name, it would be foolish to write off Sri Lanka in this competition. Sri Lanka also hosts nine (9) games in the Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 hybrid model.

With most of their matches scheduled to take place at home, Sri Lanka could take advantage of the situation to equal India’s seven Asia Cup titles.

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup 2023 Squad: 

Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kasun Rajitha, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (captain), and Maheesh Theekshana

Afghanistan

Call them the dark horses if you want, but Afghanistan has the potential to produce massive upsets when you least expect. The determined side qualified for yet another Asia Cup and could look to shock teams like India and Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Asia Cup 2023 Squad:

Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Ikram Alikhil, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen-ul- Haq, Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Samiullah Shinwari, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai

Bangladesh

Bangladesh have been perennial underachievers at the Asia Cup, but 2023 could be see them win a maiden title with an experienced squad. Ex-skipper Shakib Al Hasan returns to cover for the injured Tamim Iqbal. Hasan’s experience and the fresh additions to this team may be good enough to upset the big two – India and Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s Asia Cup 2023 Squad:

Afif Hossain, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mamhud, Litton Das, Mahedi Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nasum Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Shamim Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Records

Overall Head-to-Head:

In ODI Format:

In T20I Format:

Full Schedule for the Asia Cup 2023 and Group Teams