IND vs PAK: Pakistan Playing XI vs India, Asia Cup 2023, Group A - Predicted

India and Pakistan last played an ODI match in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Cricket’s biggest clash is just a day away for the fans. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy is set to host the Asia Cup’s toughest battle of nerves between two Asian giants. India and Pakistan are ready to take on each other on Saturday after four years in the 50-overs format. The last meeting between these two happened in the World Cup 2019 at Old Trafford in Manchester, where team India came out on top, winning the game by 89 runs in the DLS method. They have faced each other in T20I format, but this will be their first meeting in the one-day internationals after four years.

Pakistan had a wonderful game against Nepal in Multan. After a few initial hiccups in the game, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed scored centuries to set the house in order. Pakistan thrashed Nepal by 238 runs to win Asia Cup opener on Wednesday. Now they have a big challenge ahead as they are set to take on India in the second league game. Most probably, Pakistan will keep their winning XI intact and enter the game with no changes. Let’s have a look at the possible Pakistan playing XI that will take on arch-rivals India.

Pakistan’s Predicted Playing XI vs India

1. Fakhar Zaman:

Opener Fakhar Zaman had a disappointing Asia Cup opening game against Nepal in Multan. Fakhar got out cheaply in the opening game, but he will be expected to go all guns blazing against Jasprit Bumrah and company on Saturday. Fakhar Zaman has scored 207 runs in 4 innings against India, his century in the Champions Trophy 2017 final is still fresh in everyone’s memory.

2. Imam-ul-Haq: 

Left-hander Imam-ul-haq carries a dismal record against India in the 50-overs format. Imam has played three games against India and managed to score just 19 runs in three innings. Imam will be looking to change that in their clash against India at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy. Imam got run out in Asia Cup opening game against Nepal on just five runs.

3. Babar Azam (c) :

Pakistani captain Babar Azam played a big knock against Nepal in Multan. He scored 151 runs in 131 balls, smashing 14 fours and four sixes in the innings. Babar will take on the likes of Japsrit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav on Saturday. He has yet to score a fifty against India in this format. His highest score against India is 48 runs.

4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk) :

Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will be taking up the responsibility of middle-order batting along with the captain. Rizwan and Babar took Pakistan out of crisis in the opening game, suggesting the importance of this pair in the middle-order. Mohammad Rizwan has yet to play his first one-day international game against India.

5. Salman Ali Agha :

He may have failed to capitalise on the opportunity he got against Nepal, but with the kind of talent he has, Pakistan's management will be expecting much better from him against India. Salman can also contribute as a part-time spin bowler in the game. He has played 15 ODI games in his career so far and will take responsibility as No. 5 in the playing XI.

6. Iftikhar Ahmed :

Iftikhar Ahmed has shown his worth to Pakistan with his magnificent maiden ODI century in Asia Cup opener. Iftikhar played a blistering knock to take Pakistan into a comfortable position after losing early wickets in the innings. Iftikhar will be a crucial member of the batting lineup in the worst-case scenario of Pakistan once again losing early wickets against India.

7. Shadab Khan :

Spin all-rounder Shadab Khan is in brilliant form with the bat as well as with the ball. Shadab carried on from where he ended the Afghanistan series last week. Shadab picked up four wickets against an inexperienced Nepal, but his rhythm can change the game against India as well. Shadab has played five ODIs against India and picked up four wickets.

8. Mohammad Nawaz :

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz will be accompanying Shadab Khan in the spin bowling department. Nawaz has been a wicket-taking option for Pakistan in one-day internationals and also a useful No. 8 batter to play a few shots when needed. Nawaz played against India in Asia Cup 2018 but couldn’t pick up a wicket in that game.

9. Shaheen Afridi :

Shaheen Shah Afridi holds the key for Pakistan in their clash against India. Shaheen Afridi has troubled the Indian top order with his pace and in-swingers coming in from different angles. Shaheen picked up Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s wickets early in his spell in the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai.

10. Naseem Shah :

Naseem Shah will be taking up the new ball alongside Shaheen Afridi on Saturday, just as he did against Nepal in Asia Cup opener in Multan. Pallekele's wicket will be on the slower side, and that will make him work a little harder to generate the usual pace he has to trouble the Indian batting lineup. Naseem Shah knows how to keep the pressure on from the other end.

11. Haris Rauf :

Pakistan have full strength in their pace bowling lineup, along with Shaheen and Naseem. Haris Rauf will also be there as one change bowler in the playing XI. Rauf has played T20I games against India, but he has yet to play his first ODI. Rauf will be the other key player in Pakistani lineup that will take on India at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy.