LAHORE: Anticipating a close match between defending champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup on Tuesday, former Test batsman Basit Ali on Monday reckoned Misbah-ul-Haq-captained side were favourites to win the encounter in Bangladeshi city of Fatullah.

“Pakistan have a good combination of senior and junior players and in my opinion our team have all the potential to give tough time to Sri Lanka,” Basit said at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Monday.

The former right-handed batsman noted that Pakistan team in the absence of veteran Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara will have the advantage over the Islanders.

“I think the absence of Sangakkara will benefit Pakistan and our bowlers will be under less pressure,” he noted.

He said even if the conditions were not conducive for Pakistan at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium even then Misbah-led squad had bright chance of striking a win against Sri Lanka because of significant depth in batting and bowling departments.

To a question, Basit said the PCB chairman had taken a wise step by forming a committee to look into the matter of alleged match-fixing in a match of the recently concluded national T20 Cup.

Basit hoped that truth will prevail after a thorough probe into the matter.

Meanwhile, former captain Wasim Bari said Pakistan had bright chances of retaining the Asia Cup title mainly because of great variety in their bowling and favourable playing conditions in Bangladesh.

“Pakistan have a well balanced combination covering all areas of the game and that makes them firm favourites for the crown,” Bari said in an interview.

“We have performed well in sub-continent conditions and it will benefit us in the Asia Cup.

“Pakistan have an experienced batting trio of Misbah, Hafeez, Kamran Akmal alongside young talent of Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib and Umar Akmal,” he commented.

“In addition, Pakistan also possess promising Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti down the batting order to support the team.”

“Overall Pakistan look a very formidable combination if they don’t do big blunders,” he added.

He said in Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Hafeez Pakistan enjoy a lethal spin attack backed by the pace battery of Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Talha, Bilawal and Anwar.

Former Test opener Sadiq Mohammad, meanwhile, said Pakistan held a blend of youth and experience in their line-up. “But consistency in batting will be very crucial if Misbah wants to retain the Asia Cup,” he said.—APP