Cricket
Tigers aim for a memorable end to their Asia Cup campaign by facing India
Bangladesh will face India on Friday in their final Super Four match in the Asia Cup.
Led by Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh has secured only one victory in this year's Asia Cup, against Afghanistan in the group phase. Subsequently, they've participated in two Super Four matches, losing both.
"A win in the last match will be crucial for us," said Bangladesh captain Shakib on Thursday.
Also read: Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India
Bangladesh's struggles have primarily stemmed from the subpar performance of the batters throughout the event. The openers failed to establish a solid foundation in most matches, the middle-order fell short of expectations, and the late-order couldn't mount any meaningful resistance.
In contrast, the bowling attack has been largely up to the mark. But their only effort was not enough for Bangladesh to avoid defeats.
"I believe we will perform well in the World Cup," Shakib added. "I'm confident that everyone will put in extra effort to excel."
Also read: Bangladesh concede second defeat to Sri Lanka in Asia Cup
Bangladesh will be without the services of Mushfiqur Rahim in Friday's match, as the wicketkeeper-batter is attending to his wife, who is recovering after giving birth to a baby girl.
In absence of Mushfqiur, Anamul Haque Bijoy might get a place in the playing XI. The wicketkeeper-batter was added to the squad after Litton Das was initially failed to make it to the squad due to fever.
Also read: Bangladesh suffers big defeat after dismal batting display
Preview of PAK vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023
Sri Lanka and Pakistan are scheduled to compete in the fifth match of the Super Fours stage of the 2023 Asia Cup, which will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The game is set to commence at 3 pm (Indian standard time) on September 14, 2023. It is a do or die match for both teams, as whoever wins reaches the final.
Preview of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka ODI in Asia Cup 2023
India, the host of next month's World Cup, secured a 41-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday. This win guarantees their place in the top two of the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023.
This outcome now sets the stage for a crucial showdown between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The winner of this match will earn a spot in Sunday's final at R Premadasa Stadium. However, if the India vs Sri Lanka match was abandoned due to weather conditions, Sri Lanka would advance to the final based on their superior net run rate, as there is currently no designated reserve day.
Recently, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have showcased impressive performances in the ODI. Sri Lanka had enjoyed a remarkable 13 consecutive winning streak before their loss to India on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Pakistan has only suffered two defeats in their last 11 ODIs, which includes four consecutive victories against New Zealand in a 5 match ODI series that took place from April 27, 2023, to May 7, 2023.
Read more: Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India
Overall, Sri Lanka’s performance in Asia Cup 2023 is very impressive. Out of their four Asia Cup matches, they just lost one match so far, which was against India in the Super Four Round. But, still, they are facing challenges to reach the final.
Pakistan, on the other hand, also lost one match, and it was against India in the Super Four round. Out of their four matches, the most anticipated match against India in the group stage was abandoned due to rain. Then Pakistan won their first Super Four Match against Bangladesh, and after that, they lost the second Super Four Match against the arch-rival India. However, this match would have been washed out, too, if there were no reserve match. As a result, Team Pakistan is in a challenging situation right now.
Further, Pakistan has included Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan in their squad as a backup as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf faced injury. They are doubtful for the next match.
Nevertheless, Sri Lanka holds an advantage due to their players' impressive performances, their commitment to defending the championship, and the favorable playing conditions at home. However, Pakistan also has a tough squad, and their familiarity with Sri Lankan soil positions them well to secure a victory. So, there is no doubt that the match will be highly competitive.
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Probable Playing XI for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Zaman Khan/ Haris Rauf.
Probable Playing XI for Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana.
PAK vs SL Head to Head ODI Matches So Far
These two teams have faced off in a total of 155 ODI matches. Pakistan has emerged victorious in 92 of these encounters, highlighting their cricketing excellence, while Sri Lanka has secured 58 wins, establishing themselves as a challenging opponent. Additionally, there has been one tied match and 4 games that ended with no result due to various factors. This extensive history of ODI battles between Pakistan and Sri Lanka mirrors the fluctuations in cricketing fortunes, and it's a source of great anticipation for cricket fans in Asia as well as worldwide.
Key Players to Watch in Pakistan Team
Fakhar Zaman
Despite Pakistan's poor performance in the last match against India, Fakhar Zaman was one of the top scorers with 27 runs from 50 balls. He has the ability to be a game-changer when he finds his rhythm. He has been in great form this year as he scored 640 runs from 15 matches with an average of 49.23, demonstrating his consistency. His strike rate stands at around 86.48 in 2023, which resembles his aggressive and fast-paced style of play.
Read more: AFC U-23 Asian Cup: Bangladesh complete their journey empty-handed
Haris Rauf
Haris Rauf has become a vital asset for Pakistan in ODI cricket due to his pace and the ability to maintain economical bowling figures. So far, he has played 28 matches and took 53 wickets with 5/28 best bowling figures. However, Rauf has yet to play against Sri Lanka. So, this match will be his first appearance against Sri Lanka. He has played all four matches in this Asia Cup and took 9 wickets with 4/19 best blowing stats. However, Haris Rauf is doubtful for the next match due to injury. But scans have revealed no tear on his right flank.
Babar Azam
Babar couldn’t give his best in the last match against India. He only scored 10 runs from 24 balls. But overall, he scored 178 runs in this Asia Cup, which consisted of 151 runs against Nepal. He has firmly established himself as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation. However, he might enter this match with an aim to prove his batting skills.
Key Players to Watch in Sri Lanka Team
Dunith Wellalage
His five wickets in the last match against India made him a player to watch for the next match. So far, he has taken 9 wickets in this Asia Cup from four matches. Overall, Dunith Wellalage played 13 matches for Sri Lanka and grabbed 18 wickets. But his 5/20 performance in the last match is the best of his career.
Charith Asalanka
He has shown remarkable consistency in this Asia Cup, having scored 130 runs. On top of that, his bowling performance in the last match surprised the fans as he grabbed 4 wickets with a 2.0 economy rate. As a result, fans will be watching him closely with high expectations in the next match. In his overall ODI career for Sri Lanka, he has played 39 matches and accumulated a total of 1223 runs, with his highest score being 110. Therefore, we anticipate that Asalanka will make a significant impact on Sri Lanka's middle order against Pakistan.
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Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sadeera Samarwickrama currently ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, scoring a total of 167 runs across four innings. However, he scored only 17 runs in the match against India. In his overall ODI career for Sri Lanka, Sadeera has participated in 21 matches, accumulating a total of 567 runs. While he has yet to score a century, Sadeera has an admirable strike rate of 90.28.
Final Words
Pakistan may not get their regular bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf as they faced injury in the last match against India. Hence, Sri Lanka might have a competitive edge here. On top of that, Sri Lankans are playing on their home ground. So, the Lankans are already confident enough to give their best.
Despite the injury effect, Pakistan still possesses a quality bowling attack that can pose challenges for Sri Lanka. Considering the batting inconsistencies and the bowling strengths in both lineups, it appears to be a closely contested match. Nevertheless, with a slightly more experienced squad and a more promising batting lineup, Pakistan is expected to have an advantage in this PAK vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023 and is favored in our match prediction.
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Mushfiqur Rahim to Miss Super Four Clash Against India
Bangladesh's star batter, Mushfiqur Rahim, will be absent from the crucial Asia Cup Super Four encounter against India on Friday.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended his leave to be with his wife and newborn child.
Read: Bangladesh Cricket Team Departs for Asia Cup Without Liton Das
Jalal Yunus, the Chairman of BCB Cricket Operations, stated that Mushfiqur's wife is still in the recovery phase and he wishes to stand by her side.
"Mushfiqur has informed us that his wife is still recovering, and he needs to be by her side and with their children at this time,” Jalal said. “We fully understand his situation and have decided to permit him to skip the game.”
Initially, Mushfiqur, who returned to Bangladesh to witness the birth of his second child, was expected to rejoin the team in Colombo for the match against India. However, he will now remain in Dhaka with his family.
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Bangladesh has faced defeats in both of their Super Four matches thus far. In the group stage, they suffered a loss against Sri Lanka but secured victories against Afghanistan, securing a spot in the Super Four.
They, however, failed to impress in the Super Four stage of the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup.
Wellalage’s all-round show in vain as India clinch low-scoring affair vs Sri Lanka
Dunith Wellalage secured his maiden five-wicket haul and contributed a vital 42 when his team direly needed it. However, all efforts went in vain as India emerged victorious in the low-scoring affair against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup on the tricky Premadasa surface.
India opted to bat after winning the toss, but they failed to replicate the batting prowess they displayed against the quality attack of Pakistan. Instead, they stumbled to a mere 213, losing all their wickets.
Also read: Asia Cup: India stumble for 213 against Sri Lanka
In the final wicket partnership, Axar Patel and Mohammad Siraj added 27 runs, a contribution that proved invaluable for their team.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma scored a half-century, but others struggled to conceal their fatigue after being on the field for the third consecutive day. Their previous Super Four match in the Asia Cup against Pakistan took two days to end due to bad weather.
Wellalage scalped the first three wickets, causing India to lose three wickets even before reaching the 100-run mark, despite an 80-run partnership in the first-wicket stand.
He went on to take two more wickets, completing his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Eventually, India found themselves in trouble with only 213 runs on the board.
Also read: Preview of IND vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023
Surprisingly, that total proved to be enough. Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian bowling attack, claiming four wickets. He had recorded a five-for in the previous match against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka lost six wickets for 99 runs, and they seemed to be on the verge of conceding the match. However, Dhananjaya de Silva and Wellalage had a different plan. They stood firm in the middle, rekindling Sri Lanka’s hopes to secure the match. Their seventh-wicket partnership of 63 runs kept the contest alive until Dhananjaya was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja.
Following his dismissal, Sri Lanka's hopes began to fade. They were eventually bowled out for 172 in 41.3 overs, falling 41 runs short.
Also read: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
Yadav claimed four wickets for India, while Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja also scalped two wickets each.
Asia Cup: India stumble for 213 against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's left-arm orthodox bowler, Dunith Wellalage, achieved his maiden five-for in ODIs as India were dismissed for 213 in their Super Four clash in the Asia Cup.
India won the toss and elected to bat first. This was their third consecutive day on the field, following the rain-affected ODI against Pakistan that required two days to complete due to inclement weather.
Also read: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
Indian captain Rohit Sharma scored a half-century for the second consecutive match. However, the other batsmen displayed signs of fatigue, failing to capitalise on their good starts and build substantial innings.
India reached 80 runs for the first wicket but then lost three wickets before crossing the 100-run mark.
Also read: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group B
Wellalage claimed all three of those wickets and went on to take two more, finishing his 10-over spell with figures of 5 wickets for 40 runs, marking his first five-for in ODIs.
Charith Asalanka, another spinner, took four wickets while conceding 18 runs in nine overs.
Also read: Preview of IND vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023
In the end, India tumbled for a total of 213 runs. In the last-wicket partnership, Axar Patel and Mohammad Siraj contributed 27 runs, which could prove valuable on the tricky Premadasa wicket.
Preview of IND vs SL ODI in Asia Cup 2023
India will face Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the Super Four Round on September 12, 2023, at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The IND vs SL match will start at 3:30 pm Bangladesh time. India will join the match without a rest day as their previous match against Pakistan shifted to reserve day on September 11.
Preview of India vs Sri Lanka ODI Match in the 2023 Asia Cup
Rain has had a significant impact on the Asia Cup, particularly affecting the Indian cricket team. India had managed to complete only one full game, which was interrupted by rain when they faced Nepal. Their first match against Pakistan was abandoned entirely due to rain, although they did have the opportunity to bat. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India secured an impressive 10-wicket victory against Nepal in their second game. However, their highly anticipated India vs Pakistan Super Four match encountered multiple interruptions due to rain. And the match has shifted to reserve day.
On Monday, India resumed their innings at 147-2 in the 50-over game. This interruption came after rain abruptly halted their innings, following Pakistan's choice to bowl first in Colombo.
Read more: India clinch historic victory against Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin
Virat Kohli, at eight runs, and KL Rahul, at 17 runs, were at the crease when the rain started, causing the players to leave the field. The ground staff made hardworking efforts to prepare the field for a potential restart after the showers stopped. Despite three inspections by the umpires signaled resuming the match, it was ultimately the rain that had the final say.
Captain Rohit Sharma, with a score of 56, and opening batsman Shubman Gill, who contributed 58 runs, provided India with an excellent start, establishing a challenging partnership of 121 runs from 100 balls, which already put Pakistan under pressure.
In contrast, Sri Lanka successfully completed their first Super Four match against Bangladesh with a win and is now filled with confidence as they prepare to face India. Sri Lanka lost the toss and went to bat first in their last Super Four match against Bangladesh. They scored 257 runs, losing 9 wickets. Bangladesh scored 236 runs from 48.1 overs. Hence, Sri Lanka won by 21 runs.
In the group stage, Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh and Afghanistan. However, among the three matches in this Asia Cup, Sri Lanka faced a tough time against Afghanistan. But they won the match by two runs. Despite being weaker than India, the three wins in the Asia Cup will surely give them enough confidence to give a good fight against India.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Probable Playing XI for India
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Probable Playing XI for Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana.
IND Vs SL Head to Head ODI Matches So Far
In head-to-head encounters, India has a substantial advantage over Sri Lanka, with a lead of 39 more victories. In one-day internationals, India and Sri Lanka have met on 165 occasions. Out of these, India emerged victorious 96 times, while they suffered defeat in 57 matches. Additionally, 11 games concluded without a result, and one game ended in a tie.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Key Indian Players to Watch
Shubman Gill
This rising star in Team India has gained acclaim for his explosive batting skills. And he has proven himself whenever he gets a chance. In the last match against Pakistan, he scored 58 runs from 52 balls with a 111.54 strike rate. In addition to this performance, this year, Shubman Gill showcased his talent by scoring an impressive total of 885 runs in 15 matches, with a remarkable average of 68.07. Apparently, he is well-known for his ability to deliver match-winning performances.
Rohit Sharma
Although Rohit is having a bit of time in his career, his last performance against Pakistan was incredible. His 56 runs from 49 balls at 114.29 strike rate helped India to score a quick hundred. Rohit Sharma's ODI career is marked by an impressive record of 9,978 runs in 247 matches, which includes an extraordinary 30 centuries and three double centuries. In addition to his exceptional batting skills, he also contributes valuable leadership skills, with the aim of steering India towards championship success.
Jasprit Bumrah
India's bowling strength significantly depends on Jasprit Bumrah, who leads their pace attack and is widely recognized for his ability to give a breakthrough when needed. As he returns to the squad, India will surely be able to put some pressure on Lankan batters. Bumrah has an impressive track record, having taken 121 wickets in 72 innings, with his best bowling performance being 6/19. His unique skill of delivering crucial overs at the right moment in the innings makes him an invaluable asset for the Indian cricket team.
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Key Sri Lankan Players to Watch
Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha took 7 wickets in this Asia Cup in just three matches. So, he can definitely contribute in the next match. However, he couldn’t do well against the Afghans. Overall, Matheesha Pathirana played 7 ODI matches so far in his career and took 12 wickets. The young star has enough potential to give his best against India.
Sadeera Samarawickrama
Sadeera has been doing well in this Asia Cup, as he scored 150 runs, with the highest score of 93 runs against Bangladesh in the last match. Overall, he played 20 ODIs for Sri Lanka and scored 550 runs. Although he has yet to score any century, Sadeera has a good strike rate of 92.12.
Maheesh Theekshana
Another young star, Maheesh Theekshana, is a valuable asset for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023. He took six wickets in the last three matches. However, he got five wickets in his two appearances against Bangladesh in this Asia Cup. Overall, he has played 25 innings for Sri Lanka and got 42 wickets with 4/25 best bowling performance.
Final Words
After considering the head to head records and recent performance, India has a clean, competitive edge. Moreover, India whitewashed Sri Lanka in the last series in January 2023. So, if the weather remains okay, India has a great chance to win the IND vs SL Super Four Round game in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
India clinch historic victory against Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin
In a resounding triumph, India outclassed Pakistan by a staggering 228-run margin in the Asia Cup, marking their biggest win against their archrivals.
Putting up a formidable total of 356 on the scoreboard within 50 overs, India swiftly dismantled Pakistan's batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 128 runs in 32 overs, securing an effortless victory.
Also read: Virat and Rahul shine with centuries as India posts 356 against Pakistan
Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the standout performer for India, claiming a remarkable five-wicket haul for a mere 28 runs in eight overs. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj also displayed exceptional economy with the ball.
In stark contrast, only three of Pakistan's batters managed to surpass the 20-run mark, and none could sustain their innings. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving Pakistan perpetually trailing behind India's commanding total, which was powered by centuries from Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul.
Also read: Rain foils India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup
The match commenced on Sunday and culminated on Monday night after inclement weather necessitated a shift to the reserve day, which was also marred by intermittent rainfall.
Having won the toss on the originally scheduled match day, Sunday, Pakistan opted to field. India forged a formidable opening partnership of 121 runs, bolstered by robust half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Subman Gill.
Both openers were dismissed on the initial day of play. Subsequently, Virat and Rahul joined forces, subjecting the Pakistani bowlers to an unrelenting assault.
This marked Virat's 47th ODI century, while Rahul notched his sixth ODI hundred, underscoring a career laden with promise.
Also read: Preview of PAK vs IND ODI in Asia Cup 2023 (September 10)
In their upcoming fixture, India is poised to face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Virat and Rahul shine with centuries as India posts 356 against Pakistan
Indian batting stars Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul exhibited stellar form, each notching up a century, propelling India to an imposing total of 356 for two against arch-rivals Pakistan in their highly anticipated Asia Cup encounter.
Having won the toss on the originally slated match day, Sunday, Pakistan chose to field. However, inclement weather intervened, forcing a shift to the reserve day, with the first day's play truncated in the 25th over due to relentless rain.
Also read: Preview of PAK vs IND ODI in Asia Cup 2023 (September 10)
India forged a formidable partnership of 121 runs for the first wicket, bolstered by solid half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Subman Gill.
Both openers were dismissed on the initial day of play. Thereafter, Virat and Rahul joined forces, subjecting the Pakistani bowlers to a relentless onslaught.
Also read: Asia Cup Cricket: India holds historical edge over Pakistan
This marked Virat's 47th ODI century, while Rahul secured his sixth ODI 100 in a career laden with promise.
Also read: Rain foils India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup
The previous encounter between these two cricketing giants in the group stage of the same tournament was similarly marred by inclement weather, resulting in a washout.
Preview of PAK vs IND ODI in Asia Cup 2023 (September 10)
Cricket fans are waiting for an electrifying showdown as Pakistan faces off against India in the third match of the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four stage on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 3:30 PM Bangladesh time. The stage is set at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Both teams are riding high on their recent impressive victories and are eager to replicate their exceptional performances in the upcoming game.
Preview of Pakistan vs India ODI in Asia Cup 2023
This is the second game for Pakistan in the Super Four round and the first game for India. Previously, Pakistan faced Bangladesh in their first Super Four round match. Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for 193 runs with more than 11 overs to spare at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan won by 7 wickets after crossing this run with 63 balls to spare. Imam ul Haque and Mohammad Rizwan scored fifty. Before the Super Four Match, Pakistan got a big win against Nepal in the group stage. Pakistan scored 342 runs from 6 wickets, whereas Nepal was all out for 104 runs in 23.4 overs.
India, on the other hand, smashed Nepal in the group-stage match. After batting first at Pallekele, Nepal was all out for 230 runs in 49 overs. After rain, India reached the target of 145 runs in 23 overs with 17 balls to spare on the DLS method.
Read more: Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures: Team List, Schedule, and Venues
There are no changes in the Pakistan squad, but the Indian Squad has two changes. After a four-month absence from the field, KL Rahul is set to rejoin India's ODI squad. While Ishan Kishan has been a dynamic force in recent matches, making the most of every opportunity, it's KL Rahul who has earned the trust of the selectors and the team management.
During a recent press conference, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, mentioned the prospect of having both Rahul and Kishan in the playing eleven, but it seems unlikely to materialize. The lead-up to the World Cup could become a head-to-head battle between Rahul and Kishan. The upcoming Sunday fixture against Pakistan may serve as Rahul's first opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and form.
Following his absence from the game against Nepal due to the birth of his first child, Bumrah has now reunited with the team for the Super Four round. He is set to make a comeback to the playing eleven alongside Rahul. However, it appears that there may not be a place for both Mohammed Shami and Kishan in the lineup.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
Probable Playing XI for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Probable Playing XI for India
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (capt), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
PAK Vs IND Head to Head ODI Matches So Far
India and Pakistan have a long-standing cricket rivalry that has produced some intense and memorable matches over the years. When it comes to their head-to-head ODI records, India has had the upper hand. Out of the 133 ODI matches played between the two teams, India has emerged victorious in 55 matches, while Pakistan has won 73 matches. Five matches had no result, including the last Asia Cup 2023 match. Pakistan’s dominance in the ODI format against India is evident, and their strong performances have contributed to their success in this rivalry.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Warm-up Schedule: Full fixture list, match timings and venues
Pakistani Key Players to Watch
Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman, one of the team's opening batsmen, possesses the potential to be a game-changer if he hits his pace. Zaman has a strong track record against India and has been in impressive form of late. In 2023, he scored 613 runs from 14 matches with a 51.08 average, displaying his consistency, and his strike rate stands at approximately 88.84, indicating his aggressive and fast-paced style of play.
Babar Azam
Although Pakistan couldn’t bat against India in the last match, Babar Azam showed his aggressiveness against Nepal. He scored 151 runs from 131 balls, which made him one of the top scorers in this tournament. So, the captain himself will certainly be eager to give his best against the ultimate rivalry.
Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi has the potential to be the standout bowler for his team in the forthcoming game against India. Having already secured seven wickets in three matches during the Asia Cup 2023, he ranks among the top wicket-takers. Afridi will surely be eager to maintain his impressive form when facing India.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Indian Key Players to Watch
Virat Kohli
Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli has the potential to emerge as the standout performer for his team in the upcoming match against Pakistan. Kohli had a disappointing outing in the third group stage match against Pakistan and didn't have an opportunity to showcase his batting skills against Nepal. Therefore, if he gets a chance to bat against their arch-rivals, Kohli could become a crucial force for India. He has been in excellent form this year scoring a total of 431 runs in 12 ODIs.
Shubman Gill
Team India's rising star has garnered recognition for his explosive batting abilities. He made his debut in India's fourth ODI match of the series against New Zealand on January 31, 2019. In 2023, Shubman Gill displayed his prowess by scoring a remarkable 827 runs in 14 matches, boasting an incredible average of 68.91. This right-handed top-order batsman is renowned for his composure and his knack for delivering match-winning performances.
Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Siraj, India's rising fast-bowling talent, has showcased his exceptional skills on the cricket field. Born in 1994, this right-arm speedster made his ODI debut against Australia in January 2019. In the ODIs, Mohammad Siraj has impressively secured 46 wickets in just 26 matches, all while maintaining an outstanding economy rate of 4.86.
Read more: Bangladesh concede second defeat to Sri Lanka in Asia Cup
Final Words
The matches between these two cricketing giants are always highly anticipated and fiercely contested, making it one of the most exciting rivalries in the world of cricket. With number one ranking in ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, Pakistan is having the best time. On the other hand, India is also getting the pace. But compared to Pakistan, India is lagging behind. Indian top order will surely face problems getting fast scores against the Pakistani speed starts such as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.
There is no doubt that the PAK vs IND ODI match in Asia Cup 2023 will be highly competitive, but Pakistan has a great chance to emerge as the winner. However, there is a high chance of rain during the match, and a reserve day has been appointed if the match gets washed out.
Read more: Predictions: Who will win Asia Cup 2023?
Bangladesh concede second defeat to Sri Lanka in Asia Cup
In a disheartening turn of events, Bangladesh have suffered yet another defeat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup. This setback came on the heels of their loss to the same opponent in the group stage, this time in the Super Four stage of the competition.
Opting to bowl first in the match held in Colombo, Bangladesh managed to contain Sri Lanka to a total of 257 runs.
Also read: Bangladesh need 258 to stay alive in Asia Cup, after Sadeera's brilliant knock guides Sri Lanka
However, the story took a turn for the worse as Bangladesh's top order once again faltered in their pursuit. In the middle, Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy forged a commendable partnership, though ultimately it fell short of carrying them to victory.
Eventually, Bangladesh found themselves 21 runs adrift.
Mohammad Naim, who managed to score 21 off 46 deliveries, failed to substantiate his place in the squad. Litton Das, too, failed to make an impression, while in the latter stages of the innings, Shamim Hossain was given an opportunity that ultimately went to waste.
Also read: Asia Cup: Bangladesh bowl first vs Sri Lanka with one change
After losing four wickets for 83 runs, Bangladesh was in dire need of a substantial partnership to keep their fight alive. At that juncture, Mushfiqur and Towhid mustered a resilient 72-run stand.
However, after Mushfiqur's dismissal, Bangladesh lost their way, losing wickets at regular intervals. Towhid departed after a valiant 82 out of 97 deliveries.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, and Matheesha Pathirana each clinched three crucial wickets.
Earlier, Sadeera Samarawickrama fell short of what could have been his maiden century in ODIs. Nonetheless, his composed performance steered Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 257 runs.
Bangladesh claimed an early breakthrough by dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne for a mere 17 in the sixth over.
Also read: Preview of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka ODI in Asia Cup 2023
The partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, however, saw the Sri Lankan side stabilise, contributing 74 runs to the scoreboard.
Regrettably, Bangladesh's fielding exhibited signs of sloppiness throughout the match. A crucial opportunity slipped through Mushfiqur Rahim's grasp behind the wicket, and a dropped catch by Shamim Hossain in the deep resulted in a costly six.
Shoriful Islam's strategic use of short balls saw the back of Nissanka. Subsequently, Sri Lanka encountered a string of setbacks. Nissanka departed after a gritty 40, while Kusal's contribution culminated at 50.
Sadeera, however, remained resolute at one end, ensuring the scoreboard continued to tick.
Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, demonstrated astute tactical acumen in his selection of bowlers.
Nasum Ahmed, the left-arm spinner included in the XI in lieu of Afif Hossain, delivered a disciplined spell, conceding a mere 31 runs in his quota of 10 overs, albeit without managing to claim a wicket.
Bangladesh's next challenge awaits them against India on September 15th, in the same venue.