Asia Cup 2023, PAK vs IND | The Major Threats for India  

image-llylk5e6India and Pakistan will be facing off in the third match of the Asia Cup 2023 (Source: Twitter)


The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2023 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated and intense matchups in cricket. The historical rivalry between these two cricketing giants adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. Set to take place on 2 September at Kandy in Sri Lanka, this encounter will draw the attention of fans from both nations and cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

The tournament's group stage features Pakistan, Nepal, and India grouped together in Group A. With the format dictating that only the top two teams from each group progress to the Super Four round, the stakes are incredibly high.


Pakistan's Top Order Triumph: Dominating India's Bowling Lineup

image-llxq1o2eF Zaman & B Azam Figures against India since 2017 in ODIs

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam are two formidable batters who have proven to be major threats for India in recent encounters. Fakhar Zaman, in particular, has displayed remarkable consistency against India since 2017. Having accumulated 207 runs in five innings while getting dismissed only four times, he holds an impressive average of 51.75. His ability to play aggressive strokes and build his innings steadily makes him a dangerous player in any format of the game.

Babar Azam, on the other hand, brings steadiness to Pakistan's batting lineup. He has consistently played well against India, scoring 158 runs in five innings at an average of around 40. The Pakistan skipper's diverse batting technique, combined with a wide range of strokes, enables him to anchor or accelerate the innings as needed. His performance as Pakistan's captain and a keystone in their batting order might have a significant impact on the outcome of matches against India.


Mastering the Challenge: India's Approach to Counter Pakistan's Dominant Top Order

Fakhar Zaman's struggles against the Indian pace attack since 2017 highlight a potential avenue for India to exploit in their upcoming match against Pakistan. Analyzing his performance against Indian fast bowlers reveals a clear weakness that could be targeted strategically to gain an early advantage. 

Since 2017, Fakhar Zaman has faced 121 deliveries from the Indian pace bowlers, he has only managed to accumulate 76 runs, which translates to an average of approximately 38 runs per dismissal. Moreover, his strike rate against Indian pace is notably low at 62.81, indicating his difficulty in finding scoring opportunities and rotating the strike effectively.

Babar Azam's struggles against Indian spinners in recent encounters provide an interesting subplot for the upcoming match. In the last four innings against Indian spinners, Babar Azam has managed to accumulate just 62 runs while facing a total of 93 deliveries. His average of 20.67 during this period further underscores the challenges the he faces against the India spinners.

Babar Azam has been dismissed three times by Indian spinners in these four innings. Among the Indian spinners, Kuldeep Yadav stands out as having a particularly good record against him. Kuldeep's ability to generate turn and deceive batters with his variations could prove to be a potent weapon against a batsman who has historically struggled against spin.

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Conclusion

The showdown between India and Pakistan has always been more than simply a cricket match; it's a collision of cultures, emotions, and national pride. Both teams have a long history of heated rivalry, and every meeting between them is regarded as a historic occasion. The India vs Pakistan match promises to be an exciting spectacle that cricket fans will not want to miss.