KARACHI - Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam is confident that his team will beat India at Centurion Saturday and earn a semi-final place in the Champions Trophy.

Going by the form, India will be the favourites in the much awaited clash, but Intikhab believes that two major factors will give his side an upper hand — the absence of flamboyant Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh and the return of Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif.

Yuvraj is the key player for India in one-dayers and now that he is gone, they are going to really suffer in this tournament, said the Pakistan coach Friday.

Yuvraj was ruled out of the Champions Trophy after he fractured a finger in his right hand. He will be out of action for six weeks.

Yuvraj is not only a hard hitter he gives Indian batting a much needed boost while coming down the order, said Intikhab, who has coached Yuvraj during a stint with Punjab Cricket Association.

The Pakistan coach said for Pakistan the return of Asif is great news. Intikhab said that Asif, who missed the opening game against West Indies will certainly be playing against India.

Thank God he (Asif) is in perfect shape and he is ready for action, he said. Asif last played for Pakistan in March 2008 and recently became eligible to play international cricket after completing a one-year ban for doping.

He was banned last year after testing positive for banned anabolic steroid nandrolone while featuring in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Several critics blasted Pakistani selectors for picking Asif for the Champions Trophy, saying that the pacer could be rusty after a long break from international cricket.

However, Intikhab said that there will be no such problems as Asif has been playing extensively for the last several months.

Asif has been training with the under-19 cricketers and the way he has bowled in the nets with us during the last few days, I think he is fully ready for some international action, said Intikhab.