Cricket fans around the world are bracing for the ultimate showdown as India and Pakistan gear up to renew their historic rivalry during Match 3 of the Asia Cup 2023 in Pallekele. The clash between these cricketing giants has sparked a flurry of pre-match analysis from experts on both sides, all eager to determine which team holds the edge.
Former Pakistani cricketer, Basit Ali, has added his voice to the chorus of opinions and believes that Pakistan boasts a more stable middle-order lineup compared to India. He emphasized the importance of India’s middle-order performance, especially if key players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer remain sidelined due to injuries.
“We have Babar, Fakhar, Imam, and Rizwan at the top, Iftikhar and Salman Ali in the middle, and Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can be a bit handy down the order. In comparison, we have a better middle order than India. If Ishan Kishan plays at no. 5, fingers are crossed. No idea how he will perform there. India could also play Tilak Varma at no. 3 and bring Kohli at no. 4,” Basit Ali stated in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
The Indian squad has faced setbacks with injuries to key middle-order players, namely KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant. While Pant’s recovery for the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023 remains uncertain, Iyer and Rahul are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. The selectors are expected to make a final decision on their inclusion when they announce the Asia Cup squad on Monday, August 21.
Turning his attention to India’s strengths, Basit Ali praised the formidable Indian top order and acknowledged that if the top three batsmen perform consistently, India would be a formidable opponent.
“India will face a problem at no. 4, 5, and 6. They have three top-class batters in Rohit, Virat, and Gill at the top. India will depend on their top three. If they perform, it will be difficult to beat India at the World Cup and the Asia Cup,” he emphasized.
The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will not be limited to the Asia Cup, as both teams are set to cross paths in the Super 4 stage of the tournament and potentially meet in the final. Additionally, the cricketing world is eagerly awaiting their encounter during the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
