Although no opponent can be taken lightly, it’s safe to assume that Team India will beat the UAE and Oman in the Asia Cup. Their first and perhaps the biggest test will come against Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Having beaten their arch-rival at the venue in the Champions Trophy, the Men in Blue would feel confident about their chances. But there’s a difference. Back in March, the pitch was slow and aided spinners. That may change.
How the Dubai pitch will behave in Asia Cup
According to the former head curator of Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Tony Hemming, the pitch won’t behave like we have seen in the last couple of years. He predicts that we’ll see fast bowlers get more pace and bounce from the Dubai pitch.
“Based on the last two years, we’ve seen that Dubai has been avoiding grass because of the extra usage that the stadium has had. Now, looking at the ground last two weeks, they have got a grass cover at the moment. So I believe that the pitches will not behave as they have for the last two years. The pitches should have better carry to the keeper and should have better pace onto the bat,” Hemming told The Indian Express.
Advantage Pakistan?
The ball usually swings at the ground, and that’ll continue to happen. But this could mean that Pakistan might compete better. Although Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem are great bowlers, you could say that Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are better spinners.
But Pakistan has more pace bowling options than India. The Men in Blue are carrying four fast bowlers, including Hardik Pandya. Whereas it has five frontline pacers and two pace-bowling all-rounders. They’ll certainly have an edge if the surface aids pacers more than spinners.
“The difference between the two venues (Abu Dhabi) is that Dubai is like a bowl-shaped roof. So, the roof is, I think from memory, 48 metres high. It’s creating a different climate within the venue. Where Abu Dhabi has one stand at the end with a thick cap. The rest of it has this open space. So, the two venues do behave a little bit differently. However, if the dew is falling in Abu Dhabi, it’s going to fall pretty heavily,” the curator added.
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