![Pakistan made Haris Rauf sit out vs Oman [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1757748367532_pak_IND_asia_cup.jpg?type=mq)
Pakistan made Haris Rauf sit out vs Oman [Source: AFP]
On Sunday, India will cross swords against Pakistan in the sixth group-stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup tournament. Both teams are placed in Group-A, and this will be their second match in the competition.
Cricketing rivals India and Pakistan had excellent starts to the Asia Cup, winning their respective opening matches. As they gear up for a highly anticipated clash, here are three deserving players from both sides who are unlikely to make an entry into the playing XIs.
1. Haris Rauf
Why Haris Rauf deserves to play IND vs PAK Asia Cup match?
Overall T20I record and recent form
- Haris Rauf has enjoyed stellar success in T20I cricket, scalping 124 wickets in 89 matches. In fact, he is Pakistan's most successful bowler in the shortest format, having oozed his class in the middle and death overs. Also, given that he has bagged 19 wickets in 13 T20Is since the start of 2024, the in-form Haris Rauf definitely deserves to play the high-octane clash against India on Sunday.
Record against India and ability to counter Indian power-hitters
| Criterion | Vs India | Vs SKY and Pandya |
| Runs conceded | 155 | 39 |
| Wickets Taken | 7 | 4 |
| Strike Rate | 16.3 | 7.75 |
| Dot % | 50 | 48.38 |
(Haris Rauf's impressive T20I record against India, Suryakumar and Pandya)
- The data presented in the above table depicts Haris Rauf's impressive T20I numbers against India. While he has struck in every 16.3 deliveries against the arch-rivals, Rauf has an incredible record against Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, India's two most potent game-changers in the middle order.
Why could Pakistan take the surprising decision to drop Haris Rauf?
Ensure batting depth and nature of Dubai surface
- Haris Rauf's omission from Pakistan's playing XI for the Asia Cup game against Oman made fans raise their eyebrows in great surprise. However, the Men in Green took the bold call and preferred all-rounder Faheem Ashraf over Rauf to ensure batting depth. As they took the safer route and prioritised a deep batting lineup against Oman, it's highly unlikely that Pakistan will do the exact opposite against India, a much more reputed side.
- Additionally, the pitch at Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been spin-friendly so far in the competition. Therefore, both Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem might retain their spots, forcing Rauf to warm the bench once again. Having said that, if Pakistan actually take a bold call and decides to bring the ace speedster back, he might come in for either Faheem or one of the two spinners.
2. Arshdeep Singh
Why Arshdeep Singh deserves to play IND vs PAK Asia Cup match?
Pakistan top-order's vulnerability vs Left-arm pace
| Criterion | Data |
| Balls | 203 |
| Runs | 252 |
| Dismissals | 12 |
| Average | 21 |
| Strike Rate | 124.1 |
(Farhan, Saim and Mohammad Haris vs Left-Arm pace in T20Is)
- As shown in the above table, Pakistan's top-order batters- Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris- have modest T20I numbers against left-arm pace bowlers.
- So, considering they are Pakistan's prominent batters, the addition of Arshdeep Singh, who can make the new ball talk, to their bowling unit can certainly make India a more formidable attack in the powerplay.
Arshdeep's record vs Pakistan
- Arshdeep Singh has been one of India's proven performers against Pakistan in T20Is, bagging seven wickets in four matches. While his strike rate of 13.4 signifies his ability to take regular wickets, Arshdeep has also kept the Pakistan batters under the pump with his accuracy in the death overs.
Why could India take the surprising decision to drop Arshdeep Singh?
Three-spinner strategy and Dube factor
- To the fans' surprise, Arshdeep Singh missed India's Asia Cup 2025 opener against the United Arab Emirates. However, his exclusion didn't affect the Men in Blue much, with their spinners performing admirably in the game.
- More importantly, Shivam Dube, whom India brought as their third seam-bowling option, scalped three wickets and will likely play against Pakistan.
- Therefore, although Arshdeep deserves to be in action against Pakistan, India might stick to their winning combination for this game.
3. Rinku Singh
Why Rinku Singh deserves to play IND vs PAK Asia Cup match?
Excellent finishing skills
- In his brief T20I career, Rinku Singh has established himself as a magnificent finisher for India. As shown in the above table, the swashbuckling southpaw has smashed 318 runs in just 163 balls, averaging 35.3 and striking at 195.1 in the slog overs. So, he could be a certain threat to Pakistan and expose their death bowling if the Indian think tank allots him a slot in the playing XI.
Why could India take the surprising decision to drop Rinku Singh?
To make room for multi-dimensional assets
- India are steadily moving on from the old-school formula of sticking to specialists, prioritising more multi-dimensional players in their playing XI. While Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya are absolute certainties, Shivam Dube is all set to retain his place in the side following his bowling exploits against the UAE.
- Therefore, although Rinku's finishing skills vouch for his inclusion, the lack of vacancies in the Indian lineup will likely make him sit out of the Pakistan encounter.
