Asia Cup 2023: India Vs Pakistan, Arch-rivals On Field After 4 Years (image-www.instagram/rohitsharma45)
India is all set ready to take down all-time rival Pakistan in the ODI match for the first time in four years. Rohit Sharma’s men will have to face a confident Pakistan side, who are No. 1 in ODI Rankings. But the future of the match will depend on the weather in Pallkele as rain is forecast for Saturday, September 2.
Pakistan, the No.1 ODI ranked team, is in its finest form in the 50 over format of the game and have made a blast opening after hammering Nepal in their opener.
But India is now moving in the right direction after overcoming some of the concerning injuries.
India and Pakistan will meet in the field of Pallkele for the first time since June 16, 2019 at Manchester.
Captain Rohit Sharma has made India’s intention clear, that the team is pumped up to perform well in the coming matches.
“By no means, this is a fitness test or any other thing. This is a tournament played between top 6 Asian teams. It”s a very big tournament for all of us, without a doubt,” he added.
While Pakistan is heading to the big clash against India, having won 17 of their last 20 ODI’S.
Pakistan”s pace attack of Shaheen, Naseem and Haris will be a handful if the conditions in Pallekele remain overcast.
Former captain Virat Kohli, who has been a standout performer against Pakistan in big-ticket matches have spoken out about the highly rated Pakistan’s pace attack.
“I feel bowling is their strength. And they”ve got some really impactful bowlers that can change the course of the game anytime based on their skill set. So, you have to be at your absolute best to face them,” Kohli told Star Sports ahead of the match.
India will have to head on to the battlefield with lots of confidence. The focus will be mainly on the team’s combination due to the injury issues.
KL Rahul has been ruled out of the first 2 matches of Asia Cup 2023 while Ishan Kishan is likely to be fit in the middle order. Ishan had hit double hundreds and recently in July, he had hit 3 successive fifties in West Indies while opening the batting.
Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah has also returned to the team after their long injury layoffs.
India will also have to take a balance of their bowling attack in terms of playing an extra spinner/pacer or all-rounder.
Though Pakistan seems to have better form than Indian team, India was always a step ahead in the recent past. In the Asian cup 2018, India hammered Pakistan by 8 wickets and 9 wickets on separate occasions. Overall, India have beaten Pakistan 7 times in 13 Asia Cup meetings (ODIs) and they have won 4 of their last 5 meetings.
