Asia Cup | IND vs PAK Playing 11 Prediction, Cricket Tips, Preview & Live Streaming

Shaheen Afridi rattled Virat Kohli in IND vs PAK's first outing in Asia Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

In an epic Super Four match on Sunday (September 10), Pakistan and India—the third- and first-ranked ODI teams in the latest ICC Rankings—will face off against one another for the second time in the Asia Cup 2023. The mother of all rivalries will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where the weather forecast is not so encouraging for tens of thousands of cricket fans worldwide. 

However, this time, in case the contest gets washed out again, there will be a reserve day. So fans, keep your heads up. You might not be as let down as you were the last time, when Babar Azam-starred Pakistan were unable to bat for a single ball due to the persistent rain.

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IND vs PAK Team Preview

India

It goes without saying that the Men in Blue's performance in their previous outing against Pakistan was utterly disappointing. After choosing to bat, especially against their sworn enemies, you can not expect a team to lose all ten wickets.

Although they were able to post 266 on the board, the total was largely the result of fighting 80s from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. You always expect your top order to perform admirably on the biggest stage, particularly when your team has two of the all-time greats in the 50-over format – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Due to Ishan's previous performance against Pakistan, it also means that KL Rahul, who is eligible to play in this game, might not get a chance right away.

Even in the following fixture, against a weak Nepal, Indian bowlers did not live up to their lofty standards. They conceded 230 runs there, and failed to take a single wicket in the first 58 deliveries. Their devoted supporters, however, breathed a sigh of relief later on after Rohit Sharma's brilliant batting, ably supported by Shubman Gill.

Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 59-ball 74 against Nepal (AP Photos)

India will be delighted to get Jasprit Bumrah back in the lineup. The talented pacer took time off to be with his wife and new baby before returning to action. He might take the place of Mohammed Shami, despite the fact that the latter had excellent figures of 7-0-29-1.

Pakistan

The Men in Green are dominating the current edition, having already recorded two comfortable victories and another outstanding bowling display before the rain god showed up. The No. 1 ODI batsman in the world, Babar Azam, has already amassed a magnificent 150 in the competition, while the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf have been on fire from the get-go.

Pakistan recently began announcing their starting lineup one day prior to games, and against India, this is anticipated to continue. With Mohammad Rizwan's return to form giving their middle order a significant boost, they are unlikely to alter their starting lineup.

Mohammad Rizwan remained not out on 63 off 79 balls against Bangladesh (AP Photos)

Notably, when the two teams faced off in the Super Four stage last year, Pakistan prevailed over India. Because of this, even though it was a 20-over contest, Babar Azam and his boys have a physiological advantage before they game’s commencement.

IND vs PAK Match Details

R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report

The pitch at Premadasa Stadium is known for being a spinner's paradise. Nevertheless, even though the pitch might not be ideal for batting, if the batters get settle in the middle, they can still score a lot of runs. Not to forget, with the overcast conditions, swing bowlers will have some assistance at this venue as well.

IND vs PAK Probable Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

IND vs PAK Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Captain: Haris Rauf
Vice-Captain: Jasprit Bumrah

Haris Rauf has taken nine wickets in three matches in the Asia Cup 2023 (AP Photos)

IND vs PAK Match Prediction

To exact revenge for losing to the Super Four in the previous edition, the Men in Blue will be eager to turn the tide this time. So, anticipate a hard-fought victory for Rohit Sharma and his team in this match.

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