May 30, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

LAHORE, May 29: Former Pakistan bowler Aaqib Javed, endorsing fellow pacer Wasim Akram’s views, have also declared India as hot favourites for the forthcoming Asia Cup.

Talking to reporters on Thursday Aaqib says: “Pakistan have the ability to beat Sri Lankan by handling spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan pretty well and it can also qualify for the final, but the Indians are definitely favourites to win the Asia Cup.”

The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 25 to July 6. He said the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) had given a lot of benefit to the Indian local cricketers and they would draw on this experience to excel in the one-day events for a long time to come.

“Their local cricketers have gained a lot of confidence by playing with star cricketers of the world and that too before large crowds,” said Aaqib.

Aaqib, who is also working as bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) said Pakistan would not face any shortage in the fast bowling department in the next four years since a good number of speedsters had been spotted.

He said fast bowler Abdul Rauf is a talented bowler with a good height and has extra bounce and speed which can unnerve the batsmen.

Rauf, despite being the top wicket-taker in the domestic circuit could only play one One-day International against Zimbabwe this year.