There is always excitement in the air when the two arch-rivals – India and Pakistan – are to take on each other. The two teams will meet in the third game of the Asia Cup 2023 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Saturday.
The last time these two teams met on the International scene, Virat Kohli had produced his best T20I knock as he had scored an unbeaten 82 off just 53 balls. However, the format is going to be different this time around as the continental tournament is expected to be a perfect platform to prepare for the ODI World Cup.
Pakistan has already got off to a stunning start, hammering depleted Nepal by 238 runs, following centuries from skipper Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed.
On the other hand, India’s full-strength team will be playing together after a long time. Jasprit Bumrah is back in the team and his addition will certainly boost their pace battery. Ishan Kishan will get his opportunity as KL Rahul is yet to recover from a niggle he is carrying.
Both teams will look to come up with a collective show but as always it will be a contest between Pakistan’s potent bowling unit against India’s batting line-up.
Match Prediction: India might enter as slight favorites against Pakistan in this high-octane clash.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (backup).
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve).
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