This Saturday, all eyes will be on the high-stakes Group A clash at Pallekele as arch-rivals India and Pakistan face off once again.
Pakistan enters the match brimming with confidence Starting their Asia Cup 2023 campaign with a dominant victory over Nepal in Multan.
Pakistan’s focus now shifts to a much-anticipated showdown. On the other side, India aims to kickstart the tournament positively and make their presence felt.
THE VENUE FOR INDIA vs PAKISTAN CLASH
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has big boundaries, but the outfield is lightning-quick. It has been a great venue for batsmen, and we have seen lots of runs being made here. There isn’t much on this surface for the fast bowlers, but spinners have done well as the ball turns sharply on this track.
We will see overcast skies over Pallekele; rain may disrupt the game. Rain might play spoilsport for this bog match. The weather will be cloudy and humid, with a couple of heavy showers.
Average 1st Innings Score: 250
Average 2nd Innings Score: 202
TEAM PREVIEW
PAKISTAN
Pakistan had an excellent beginning to their Asia Cup journey, choosing to bat first against Nepal in Multan. They achieved a huge total of 342-6, thanks to remarkable centuries by captain Babar Azam (151 off 131 balls) and Iftikhar Ahmed (109* off 71 balls). The Pakistani bowlers were equally impressive, dismissing Nepal for a mere 104 runs, securing a commanding 238-run victory.
Describing Babar Azam’s current form as exceptional would be an understatement. He has displayed consistent batting prowess across various formats and has made a remarkable start to the Asia Cup. In the ongoing year, Babar has participated in 12 ODIs, accumulating 689 runs with an average of 57.41 and a strike rate of 87.10. His performance includes two centuries and six half-centuries.
Fakhar Zaman, as an opener, possesses the ability to make an impact on the game. His strong track record against India and recent form, with 523 runs in the last 10 matches at an average of 58.11 and a strike rate of 92.56, highlight his potential.
Iftikhar Ahmed has demonstrated his capabilities as a dangerous lower-order batsman. Additionally, Mohammad Rizwan’s presence adds stability to the middle order.
Pakistan’s fast bowling attack stands out as the most formidable worldwide. The combination of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf has proven their effectiveness across various pitch conditions. Their potency could result in early wickets for India’s top order, even before the initial power play concludes.
EXPECTED XI OF PAKISTAN VS INDIA:
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
INDIA
India embarks on their journey towards the ODI World Cup 2023 with much to demonstrate, beginning on home turf. The Asia Cup serves as an opportunity for the team to find their rhythm and establish momentum. India has faced challenges in fielding a full-strength lineup due to injuries and rest for key players in recent seasons.
However, this time around, they present a formidable squad that meets most requirements. Regrettably, KL Rahul is still recuperating from a minor injury, causing him to sit out the initial two matches. Ishan Kishan is expected to step in as his replacement in the starting eleven.
India maintains its tradition of possessing a robust batting lineup. Virat Kohli remains the standout batsman to keep an eye on. He has displayed exceptional form this year, amassing 427 runs in 10 ODIs at an average of 53.37, which includes two centuries and one half-century. Kohli holds a solid average of 48.72 against Pakistan, making another remarkable performance from the batting maestro a foreseeable outcome.
Another player who could have a significant impact on this game is Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain. He boasts an average of 51.42 against Pakistan from 16 ODIs, including two centuries and six half-centuries. Despite his recent struggles in ODIs, we anticipate Rohit stepping up with a crucial performance in this important match.
Additionally, it’s worth keeping an eye on all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. He has the potential to contribute significantly with both the bat and his left-arm spin bowling during the middle overs.
Kuldeep Yadav’s presence could also pose challenges for the Pakistani batting lineup. The left-arm wrist spinner has been in good form this year, taking 23 wickets from 11 ODIs with an impressive economy rate of 4.87. The pitch conditions should favor his style of bowling.
Mohammed Siraj is another player to watch out for. He has been consistently performing as a fast bowler for India in recent seasons, claiming 14 wickets in his last 6 matches with an economy rate of 4.58. Considering Jasprit Bumrah’s return from injury, Siraj has the potential to emerge as the standout performer among India’s pace bowling options.
EXPECTED XI OF INDIA VS PAKISTAN
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah
PREDICTION OF THE MATCH
India have had a good record against Pakistan in ODIs in recent years. They have beaten them in four of their last five ODIs against them. However, Pakistan are a much improved side now and won’t be easy to beat.
Backing India to Beat Pakistan Tomorrow.
Also Read: SL vs BAN: Sri Lankan Bowlers Decimate Bangladesh’s Batters To Give Them Easy Win