IND vs. PAK Asia Cup 2023 Live Score: Another exciting encounter is all set to unfold on the grounds of Colombo when India takes on Pakistan in Match 3 of the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2023. It will be a crucial fixture as India will play their first fixture of the Super 4 stage & will aim to kickstart the stage with a thumping win. On the other hand, Pakistan are coming into this clash on the back of a glorious seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in their previous fixture. They will try to continue their winning spree to continue holding a top spot on the Super 4 stage Points Table. With key players returning to the squad, India will try to make their presence felt in the Indian team.
IND vs. PAK Asia Cup 2023: TEAMS PREVIEW
India Preview
Indians were not so impressive with the willow when they faced Pakistan in their campaign opening fixture. Shaheen’s lethal pace attack dismantled India’s top order within no time, leaving a big question mark on India’s top order’s effectiveness. Though middle-order batters then settled the loss did by the top order, addressing the issue & coming back stronger against Pakistan in this crucial Super 4 fixture.
In India’s last clash against Nepal, their fielding looked ineffective as they dropped three crucial catches within 5 overs. This fielding blunder provided Nepal an edge over India powering them to a massive 230 runs total. However, just like their fixture against Pakistan, rain played a spoilsport reducing their target to 147 in 23.4 overs. Indians couldn’t miss the chance & the openers Rohit & Shubman did the job by chaisng the target within 23 overs. Rohit Sharma scored 74 off 59 while Gill looked solid scoring 67 off 62 balls.
Now heading into the clash against the mighty Pakistan clan, India needs to address the glitches in their batting order. They need to be at their absolute best while facing Shaheen’s fierce pace. Rohit & Virat need to step up & score crucial runs at the top while Shreyas, Hardik & Ishan will be tasked to amass runs in the middle order. The lower order will be taken care of by Jadeja & Axar.
In the bowling department, the onus of scalping early wickets will be on Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who returned after the birth of his child. He will need support from Shami & Kuldeep if they aim to restrict power-hitter Pakistan. India needs to produce their A-game if they need to shut their critics.
Key Players: Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja
India Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan Preview
The world’s No. 1 team in the ODI format, Pakistan is breathing fire as both their bowling & batting order look in astute form. In their last clash against India, Shaheen, Rauf, and Naseem managed to restrict India to an average 230-run target. However, Rain played a spoilsport resulting in the match ending in No Result. In their last fixture against Bangladesh, they continued their good show with both bat & ball to outclass Bangladesh in all departments. Fielding first, they dismantled Bangladesh’s top order like a pack of cards. They picked regular wickets & bowled Bangla Tigers at just 193 runs. Rauf starred with the ball by sclaping 4 wickets for 19 runs.
In the batting order, their batters chased the target within 40 overs with the loss of just 3 wickets. Imam-Ul-Haq starred with the bat by scoring 78 off 84 balls. This gives a clear warning to the Indian team who will face Pakistan in their last fixture. Everything in the Pakistan team looks on point & they will aim to continue their lethal form in front of arch-rivals India. In the batting order, Babar Azam & Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq will have the onus of laying the foundation of a mammoth total. While the middle order will be taken care of by Rizwan, Iftikhar & Shadab Khan. While Naseem & Shaheen in the lower order will add depth to their lineup.
Key Players: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
Pitch & Weather Conditions
The weather forecast is overcast with a 90% chance of rain. This means the bowlers could have an edge over batters with batters finding it difficult to score runs. Looking at the pitch condition there are chances of teams winning the toss opting to bowl first. However, the final call on the decision after winning the toss will be taken by the captains of both teams after an assessment of the pitch & weather conditions.
There is good news for all the fans as the Asian Cricket Council has alotted a Reserve Day for India vs Pakistan fixture. This means if rain plays a spoilsport both the teams will take on each other on reserve day.
IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023: Winning Prediction
India vs. Pakistan is a much anticipated high-octane fixture across the globe. Both teams will hope for a full-fledged game heading into this fixture. India was lucky to share points in the first fixture while Pakistan will be hoping to complete the rituals of the last fixture by winning a Super 4 match against India. Looking at the current form & team composition we predict that Pakistan will win this fixture.
Prediction: Pakistan to win this fixture
Also read, IND vs PAK: Shubman’s shocking statement for Pakistan Pace
