Ricky Ponting, former Australian captain, has said that India were his favourites in the Asia Cup and the match against Pakistan. But, the green shirts ability to win matches in big events was something to behold.

“To be totally honest, when I think about it [Pakistan-India rivalry] it’s one that we’ve been starved of that we have been starved off, haven’t we … looking back the last 15 or 20 years,” he told Indian sports television presenter Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

Pakistan would face the defending champions India on August 28, the second match of the Asia Cup that would be held in Dubai. The final was set to be played on September 11. The Asia Cup, which was last played in 2018, would be played in the T20 format, with nine teams participating.

Ponting, who led his side to win two 50-over World Cups, was of the view that the rivalry meant more to the players from both of those countries.

“When I think about rivalries, Australia and England and Ashes cricket is the pinnacle I’ve always thought of for our Test match game,” he said, “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.”

Pakistan and India last time met in the T20 World Cup where the Babar Azam-led side break the jinx and beat its arch-rivals by chasing the 152-run target without losing a wicket.

The former Australian skipper added that such sorts of battles were always nice to watch. The arch-rivals would again meet this year on October 23 for the T20 World Cup at the MCG, Australia.

Who will get the trophy?

Pakistan hold the edge overall in head-to-head meetings, however, the contest at the Asia Cup tells a different story as India currently clinging to a slender 7-5 advantage (one no result) from 13 matches.

“Well, I said I think India will win the Asia Cup,” Ponting said as he chuckled at the question of who will bag the coveted trophy.

“I’ll stick with India to win that clash against Pakistan,” he predicted will happen in the August 28 match.

“That’s taking nothing away from Pakistan because they are an incredible cricket nation that continues to present out-and-out superstar players,” he said and admitted that the side had a tough time in the past due to not having a lot of cricket happening in the home soil. But, Ponting added that such a situation was slowly starting to turn as well with the tours of international sides to the country.

“But, their ability to produce and stand up and win big games of cricket in big events is something to behold,” he said.