The much-awaited 2nd round of India vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 is just a day away from starting. And as usual, the hype around the media and the fans is there to see. The last game between the two teams ended without a result due to rain. Only an Indian inning was possible before rain interrupted. Today, we will preview the India vs Pakistan game in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup 2023. So let’s start.
Round 2 of India vs Pakistan | Asia Cup 2023 – Super 4s
As expected, we will see another India vs. Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2023. Both teams are placed alongside Nepal in the Group A. So no surprise that India and Pakistan reached in the Super 4s from Group A.
Pakistan already played one game of the Super 4s
This will be Team India’s first game in the Super 4s. While Pakistan has already played one game of Super 4s against Bangladesh.
Pakistani pacers again helped the team to get those two valuable points in the Asia Cup 2023. Only Shakib and M Rahim’s partnership gives a slight chance to put a decent total on the board. But other than that partnership, the wickets continue to fall in between.
Pakistan batters coming with some runs under the belt
After Bangladesh bowled out for just 193, the Pakistan batters made sure that they got over the line without any damage. Imam ul Haq and M Rizwan both scored half-centuries. And Pakistan won the game by wickets and 10.3 overs left.
Before that as well, in Nepal’s game, captain Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored brilliant hundreds from the pressure situation.
So India has to be aware of the fact that Pakistan batters are coming in form.
Will Pakistan’s pace attack again become the difference?
Till now in the Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan’s pace attack looks the hardest to face. They will again be the talking point in the Indian dressing room before the Indian batters come out to bat.
The pace trio(Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris) might trouble the Indian batters again. Along with those three, Faheem Ashraf will also come in as the fourth pace bowling option. So India has to play well against the Pakistani pacers if they have to win the game.
Team India also coming into this game with a win
Just like Pakistan, Team India is also coming into this game with a win against Nepal. After Nepal managed to score 230 in the first inning, their bowling didn’t get past the Indian openers.
India got the revised target of 145 in 23 overs due to rain. Both the openers, captain Rohit Sharma and Shubmam Gill remain unbeaten. India won the game by 10 wickets.
Selection conundrum for Team India
Team India has to take some calls before this game. We don’t know what the fitness status is of KL Rahul. But if Rahul is fit, will Team India get him into the playing XI?
Rahul didn’t keep wickets in the indoor net session. So it might be an indication that Ishan Kishan will be the wicketkeeper. Let’s see if the team brings KL Rahul in place of S Iyer. But that also looks unlikely.
Axar or Shardul – Who will be the No. 8 in India vs Pakistan?
Right now, Shardul Thakur is a sure-shot possibility. Although Colombo’s surface helps the spinners, then India’s pace bowling has to compromise. And the team won’t go with Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami together.
India vs Pakistan Head to Head (In Asia Cups):-
The two teams clashed 14 times in the Asia Cup history. Team India has won 7 games while Pakistan won 5. Two games ended with no result.
Expected playing XI of both teams:-
India-
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj
Bench- KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, M Shami, Prasidh Krishna
Pakistan-
Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (c), M Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Bench- M Nawaz, Usama Mir, Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, M Haris, M Wasim Jr.
Pitch and Weather conditions:-
The rain might play a spoilsport again in the India vs Pakistan clash. That’s why we have a reserve day for just this game other than the final. But Colombo’s weather is not looking good even on a reserve day. Let’s hope that the rain stays away and we will have to see a good game.
As far as the pitch is concerned, we have seen it is on the slower side. So can’t expect a high-scoring game this time around as well. And in high-pressure games like these, the score tends to be less than expected.
Conclusion
So this is the preview of the India vs Pakistan game, starting on September 10 in Colombo. Who will win this encounter? Or will rain wash out another India vs Pakistan game? Comment your predictions below.
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