Asia Cup
Pakistan has made the decision to field the same playing eleven against archrivals India, maintaining the lineup that secured a resounding victory against Nepal in the opening match of the Asia Cup. The highly anticipated encounter between these two cricketing giants is scheduled for September 2nd at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Furthermore, the co-hosts of the regional event have opted for a lineup consisting of three pacers, two spin-bowling all-rounders, and two batting all-rounders.
Babar Azam led the side as the national cricket board made the announcement on social media.
In their inaugural match of the Asia Cup, Pakistan, the world’s number one ODI team, dominated Nepal with a commanding 238-run victory. Captain Babar Azam delivered an outstanding performance, registering the second-best individual score in the tournament’s history. He smashed an impressive 151 runs off 131 balls, securing his 19th one-day international (ODI) century. Pakistan posted a formidable total of 342 runs on the scoreboard.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was equally impressive, as they bundled out Nepal for a mere 104 runs in 23.4 overs. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan was the standout performer, claiming four wickets for 27 runs, while the pace duo of Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi contributed with two wickets each.
In addition, Babar Azam expressed his confidence ahead of the crucial India match, highlighting that the victory against Nepal had boosted the team’s morale. He emphasized the intensity of an India-Pakistan encounter and expressed his team’s commitment to giving their all in every match.
On the other side, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, downplayed the hype surrounding the high-stakes match against Pakistan. Lastly, he emphasized that their focus is on using the tournament as preparation for the upcoming home World Cup, emphasizing the importance of concentrating on their performance and making the right decisions on the pitch.
