Pakistan favourites in Kolkata: Gavaskar

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar says Pakistan enter their World T20 clash with the hosts as favourites.

Pakistan have never lost to India at Eden Gardens, and ran out resounding winners against in-form Bangladesh in their opening match of the tournament, however they have never beaten their neighbours in a world event.

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In tonight's clash, something has to give, and Gavaskar believes Pakistan are well placed to get one over their arch rivals following India's shock first-up defeat to the Black Caps in Nagpur.

"After the loss to New Zealand, India will be under far more pressure against Pakistan," Gavaskar told NDTV.

"I feel Pakistan start as favourites for the game on Saturday. It is still pretty much Indian batting versus Pakistan bowling. However, with the way Indian bowlers have performed recently, they also won’t be easy to tackle either.

"(Ravi) Ashwin is bowling well and so is (Ashish) Nehra, ever since he has made a comeback. Then you have Jasprit Bumrah. So it will be a test for Pakistani batsmen.

"Having said that, it only takes an over-and-a-half to turn the game around in T20."

Pakistani quick Mohammad Amir was in devastating touch when the two sides met in the Asia Cup last month, taking 3-18, and Gavaskar says India's batsmen should have learned some valuable lessons from that outing.

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"Hopefully Rohit (Sharma) and others know that unlike many other left-arm pacers, Amir has the ability to swing the ball back," he said.

"Rohit and (Ajinkya) Rahane were found wanting against him in Asia Cup. So they have to careful for the first couple of overs and once you are set, there is always an opportunity to score."

In his column with cricket.com.au, Pakistan's Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq also singled out Amir, as the x-factor in an outstanding all-round attack.

"Amir is now more intelligent than he was before," Misbah wrote. "He has become more mentally strong after the situation he has been put through.

"He was just 18 when he left cricket and that's an age when you're still learning and becoming an adult with the way you act and think.

"The hard work he has done is paying off. Although he would have been even better had he continued playing, the absence hasn’t hurt him much.

"He has an amazing game awareness and is beyond his years when it comes to bowling intelligence. If you can swing the ball late from fuller lengths at 145kph you can trouble any batsman.

"He has the ability to finish the deliveries at stumps and swing it both ways and these are the traits that make him a special bowler.

"I don’t think anyone can consider him an ordinary bowler; he is as extraordinary as he was five years ago. The way he bowls, the amount of swing he generates, the pace and the maturity he has, he is a special bowler and his recent performances have shown that. 

"I feel his performance against India, along with those of (Mohammad) Irfan, will be the most important factor for Pakistan and will define where the game will go."