Asia Cup 2023: Confident Pakistan name unchanged XI for high-voltage India clash

Pakistan Team. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan have named an unchanged playing XI for their upcoming high-voltage clash against India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Notably, Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed hit centuries in the last match against Nepal while Shadab Khan picked up four wickets and Shaheen Shah Afridi notched a couple. Hence, they are in incredible form at the moment, and the team management has decided to keep faith in the same XI.

Fakhar Zaman was the only player whose position was under threat as the opener is undergoing a very poor form. In the three-match series against Afghanistan, Zaman hit only 59 runs, and in the match against Nepal, the 33-year-old could score only 14 runs. He started well with the bat but failed to get going as Karan KC picked up his wicket.

Notably, the top order of Pakistan failed to make a mark in the last match, and that is one area that the team would want to improve. Indian pacers in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj would be looking to hit their weak zone, and if the Men in Green lose a couple of wickets early, they would be under tremendous pressure, which can hurt them eventually.

Bowling looks more or less stable with the pacers in incredible form. Shaheen has bothered the Indian team in the past, and the goal will be to pick quick wickets with the new ball. Haris Rauf has a score to settle this time around, as Virat Kohli reigned supreme the last time these two teams met in the T20 World Cup. Shadab and Mohammad Nawaz will also be key for Pakistan, and the spinners are expected to get some assistance from the surface in Pallekele.

Overall, a blockbuster of a clash is expected on Saturday, but there’s a probability of some rain as well. However, it will not affect the game much.

Pakistan playing XI – Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah