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?