Pakistan will lock horns against India in the all-important Asia Cup group stage match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Saturday. The rivalry between these two cricket-loving nations has always been intense and both teams will look to bring their best.
Pakistan has already kicked off its campaign on a high, thwarting Nepal by a gargantuan margin of 238 runs. Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed scored centuries for the Men in Green.
On the other hand, India will look to start their tournament on a winning note. India is expected to field a strong playing XI, barring the absence of KL Rahul due to a niggle. All eyes will also be on Jasprit Bumrah, who will play an ODI after September 2022.
India’s top order of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli will hold the key against a quality fast-bowling unit of Pakistan.
Stats Preview:
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma needs 163 runs to reach the milestone of 10000 runs in the ODI format and he will become the sixth Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and MS Dhoni to get to the feat.
India’s talisman Virat Kohli needs 102 runs to get to the landmark of 13000 ODI runs and he will become the second Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar to get to the record.
Shubman Gill requires 63 runs to reach the 1500-run mark in the 50-overs version.
Ravindra Jadeja needs six more wickets to complete 200 scalps in the ODI format.
Babar Azam needs 147 runs to complete 5500 runs in ODI cricket.
Imam-ul-Haq requires 111 runs to get the milestone of 3000 runs in the 50-overs form.
Haris Rauf needs four more wickets to complete 50 scalps in the ODI version.