Pranav KhandaleIt’s been 309 days since the two cricketing giants collided. Despite the ten-wicket loss in the last T20I World Cup encounter, Team India come into this match as favourites.
India vs Pakistan is nothing less than a battle; this time, we have a score to settle.
The showdown
Since their last encounter against India, Pakistan have won 11 out of 13 T20Is. An 84% win percentage since the 2021 T20I World Cup has made them believe they can compete against India day in, day out.
Once again, the onus of scoring runs will be on Pakistan’s top order comprising Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Since October 2021, the Pakistani trio has collectively scored 1,311 runs with a Strike Rate of over 120. Pakistan’s middle order is a weak link, however, and a primary concern for them. Also, their bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and youngster Mohammad Wasim have already been ruled out due to injuries.
On the other side, defending champions India start their Asia Cup campaign without Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Shami’s poor form has cost him his place in India’s Asia Cup squad, which means Bhuvaneshwar Kumar will share the new ball with either Arshdeep Singh or Avesh Khan. India’s top two run-scorers this year, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, have been excluded from the Indian squad as well. Suryakumar Yadav has been playing the anchor’s role in T20Is for India. Over the past year, Yadav has scored 428 runs at a Strike Rate of 189.38. Virat Kohli is now competing with in-form Deepak Hooda for India’s No. 3 spot.
Match details
Match: India vs Pakistan | Match 2, Asia Cup 2022
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Date: 28 August 2022
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Where to watch: Star Sports Network | Disney + Hotstar
Pitch report & Toss
A fresh wicket at the DSC offers assistance to everyone; fast bowlers will receive help with the seam movement, spinners will get some turn and bounce, and pace with bounce will make stroke play easy. The 66-metre boundaries are not challenging to clear; we can expect a high-scoring game. Partnerships and power play are two crucial aspects of the game. Batters need to play within the line; playing across the line may go against them. The side winning the toss will be happy to bowl first as it’s easier to chase a score on this pitch with some additional help offered by dew.
Probable playing XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Hasan Ali
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
Head-to-head
Matches Played: 9
Won by India: 7
Won by Pakistan: 2
Clean hitters
Pakistan: Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam
India: Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik
Death-over bowlers
Pakistan: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan
India: Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Hasan Ali
Fantasy team
Dinesh Karthik, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Shadab Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani
Captain & Vice-captain picks
Captain: Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma
Vice-captain: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan
Prediction
Both sides are without their premier fast bowlers, though India look like the better side on paper. Hardik Pandya will play a crucial role with the bat and the bowl.
The team capitalising on the Powerplay will have a higher chance of winning the match. I am backing India to win the game.
