India vs Pakistan Live: India yet to play T20Is in UAE but Ravi Shastri not concerned, says 'Don't worry, IPL experience will be helpful'

India vs Pakistan LIVE: Ravi Shastri counts on IPL experience in the UAE – India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign this weekend when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. The game will be India’s first T20I clash against Pakistan in five years and their first game in the UAE. However, head coach Ravi Shastri is not too concerned by the Men in Blue’s lack of experience playing the UAE, considering how Virat Kohli and Co. have played the IPL in the gulf nation over the last two seasons.

India vs Pakistan Live: India yet to play T20Is in UAE but Ravi Shastri not concerned, says ‘Don’t worry, IPL experience will be helpful’

Ravi Shastri refuted any concerns about Team India’s lack of experience playing in the UAE by suggesting that the IPL 2021 has been ideal preparation for the T20 World Cup. Speaking to Star Sports, Ravi Shastri said, “IPL helped the Indian Players a lot in preparation. Especially those players who regularly play for their respective teams. Players have been playing the IPL for the last two months, so I don’t think they need much preparation.”

India vs Pakistan LIVE: When was the last time India played in UAE?

Barring T20 cricket, India has a lot of experience playing in the UAE.
Team India has participated in ODI matches previously in UAE. The last time Team India played there was during Asia Cup 2018.
In 2018, India won the tournament under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, defeating Pakistan twice on their way to the title.
India registered convincing wins in both games winning by 8 and 9 wickets respectively.
Overall, Pakistan boasts a superior record over India in the UAE.
Pakistan has won 19 out of 28 matches with just nine wins coming India’s way.

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Among the top-10 teams of ICC T20 rankings, only two India and Bangladesh have not played matches in UAE. The Mahmudullah led Bangladesh team are currently playing in Oman in the first round to qualify for the Super-12 of the T20 World Cup. The record shows Indian team will face challenges when they take the field against Pakistan. While the players have played a majority of the past two seasons of the IPL in the UAE, but there is a stark difference between a franchise and international cricket.

India vs Pakistan Live: India yet to play T20Is in UAE but Ravi Shastri not concerned, says ‘Don’t worry, IPL experience will be helpful’

Pakistan has the most experience of playing in the UAE and will have their tails up when they prepare to take on arch-rivals India. Babar Azam and Co has played 36 matches winning 21 and losing 13, while two matches are tied. Afghanistan team is among those who play the most matches. They have won 26 out of 33 matches and have lost only seven matches. Host UAE surprisingly have played lesser games than Pakistan and Afghanistan, featuring in just 31 matches. They have won 14 and lost 16, while one game was abandoned with no result.