The biggest cricketing clash of the year will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground as India and Pakistan will take on each other in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Both of these teams will aim to get off to a winning start and put their right foot forward in the tournament.
We take a look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of India: L W W W W
India won their previous two bilateral series against Australia and South Africa and they will enter the tournament well-prepared after landing Down Under three weeks ago. India has a solid batting line-up but their bowling will be under the cosh to deliver the goods for the team, especially while bowling at the death.
Current form of Pakistan: W W L W W
Pakistan won their previous tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh and it would have given them a lot of confidence. Shaheen Shah Afridi is also back on the team, which is a big confidence booster. However, Pakistan will want their middle order to deliver, which is a cause of concern for them in the recent series.
Head to Head: Matches – 11, Won by India – 8, Won by Pakistan – 3.
India clearly holds the advantage against Pakistan in the head-to-head battle.
Players to look out for: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami and Yuzvendra Chahal will hold the key for India.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, and Naseem Shah will be crucial players for Pakistan.
India squad:
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami (in for Jasprit Bumrah), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh
Reserves: Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur.
Pakistan squad:
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman (replaces Usman Qadir)
Reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani
