Former cricketer Aamir Sohail believes that Pakistan team’s experience at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pitches will help them win the Asia Cup, beginning from September 15.

The tournament will feature six nations including Pakistan, defending champions India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Afghanistan. Pakistan will open their Asia Cup campaign against Hong Kong on Sunday and will face arch-rivals India in their second match on September 19. Talking to the media, Aamir - who played 47 Test matches and 156 ODIs - said that Pakistan must monitor how India and Sri Lanka execute their plan on the field.

“India and Sri Lanka are tough teams and good competition is expected from them,” he said. However, Aamir said that Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win will give them more confidence when they face India in the competition. “Pakistan will definitely have an upper hand against all teams as they have played in the UAE more than any other team,” he said.

Speaking on improving the internal affairs of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Aamir said that PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani must conduct an evaluation process (performance based) among the board officials sitting at top slots. “A person who has been performing well must continue, while those who have not been giving positive results should be held accountable,” he said, adding that Mani must eliminate politics from PCB.

Responding to a question regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between PCB and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2014 to play bilateral series from 2015 to 2023, he said that former PCB chairman Najam Sethi had just given false hopes to the Pakistani nation about the Pak-India series, otherwise there was no such thing on paper.

Former ICC president Zaheer Abbas said that Pakistan has bright chances of winning the Asia Cup because UAE pitches are no stranger to our players. “It is their home ground and we can expect Pakistan to bring the Cup home,” he said.