Hong Kong all-rounder Tanwir Afzal has picked on Friday (7 September) Rohit Sharma-led Team India as the favourites to win the 2018 Asia Cup title. However, the all-rounder believes that conditions in UAE will suit both India and Pakistan, but went on to choose  India as the favorites to win the title. 

Tanwir told NDTV, “Pakistan and India both are strong sides; these conditions will suit the spinners well. Pakistan have the momentum with them after clinching the Champions Trophy in 2017 and winning the triangular T20 series. India, no doubt in every condition will come good. They have a high-standard batting and bowling unit, I don't think Pakistan are the favourites, for me India are.... but on the day, you never know.”

On being asked whether Kohli’s absence could affect Indian batting line-up in the six-team event, Afzal claimed that India’s batting will certainly suffer as the right-hander is the world's best batsman.

He further added on the same, “No doubt that with Virat Kohli being rested, India's batting will be affected, he is the world's best batsman. If he would have come, out team could have learnt a lot from him. We have many youngsters in our side; they would have felt proud playing against him.”

Meanwhile, Hong Kong is all set to compete in the coming Asia Cup 2018 in the UAE after defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the qualifiers final on Friday and Captain Afzal urged his national players to prove their individual skills on the International circuit.

The all-rounder further went on to reveal that Hong Kong’s real goal is to give big performances in the UAE, taking Asia Cup2018 as great opportunity to prove their mettle on the international arena.

Tanwir signed off by saying, “The real goal for us (Hong Kong) will be to give big performances and prove our individual skills on the international circuit, there are many international leagues going on these days around the world. And for an associate country, it will be the best chance for the best players of the side to prove their mettle.”

Noteworthy, Hong Kong will begin their Asia Cup 2018 campaign against Pakistan on September 16.