India Can Handle Tough Situations Better Than Problem-Ridden Pakistan: Irfan Pathan

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan said Indian team can handle the pressure situations effectively and that trait gives Rohit Sharma's side an edge in the much-awaited Champions Trophy match against traditional rivals Pakistan at Dubai on Sunday. While India began with a six-wicket thumping of Bangladesh in their tournament opener, Pakistan lost their first game by 60 runs to New Zealand and are currently placed last in the four-team Group A points table. "When it comes to Pakistan, look, they have plenty of problems in the team," Pathan, who will play for India Masters in the International Masters League, told PTI Videos in Navi Mumbai on Friday.

"As far as some of the senior guys (are concerned), they don't play that kind of aggressive modern day cricket, especially in white-ball cricket. So, can they change it? It's very difficult.

"But more than the weaknesses and the strengths, it's all about the India-Pakistan occasion. Whoever handles the occasion really well, that team wins," he said.

Pathan said the Indian side is better placed to handle pressure situations.

"What we have seen in the recent past with the Indian team, we know how to handle a tough situation and the big occasion as well. As far as the talent is concerned, we are far ahead, especially in one-day cricket," he said.

Pathan said Mohammed Shami will draw a lot of confidence from his five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, which helped him become the fastest Indian bowler to take 200 ODI wickets.

"(It was) good to see Mohammed Shami get a fifer. He will get a lot of confidence out of it as well because after injury, coming back on the field, it's not easy especially for fast bowlers (but) he did well," Pathan said.

"We (India) have good all-round abilities in