India and Pakistan are set to renew their cricketing rivalry in the Asia Cup 2023, as they face each other in the Group A match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 2. This is India's first match in the tournament, while Pakistan have already registered a thumping 238-run win against Nepal in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023.
The match is expected to start at 2: 30 PM local time (3:00 AM IST), but there are chances of rain interrupting the proceedings. As per the weather forecast, rain and thunderstorms are likely to occur in the hilly Kandy region on Saturday, with a thick cloud cover throughout the match.
India have won their last three ODI matches against Pakistan, including two in the Asia Cup 2018. The two sides last locked horns against each other in the 2019 World Cup, where India won by 89 runs (DLS method). Pakistan's last ODI win against India was in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where they stunned India by 180 runs.
India are led by Rohit Sharma, who is filling in for the injured KL Rahul. Rahul is out of the first two matches due to a hamstring injury⁴. India also have Virat Kohli, who is ranked second in the ODI batting rankings, and Jasprit Bumrah, who is returning to ODI cricket after a long injury layoff. Bumrah is ranked third in the ODI bowling rankings.
India have a strong batting line-up, with Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja among the options. Iyer is also making a comeback after recovering from a shoulder injury. India have a variety of bowling options as well, with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel in the squad.
Pakistan are a very well balanced ODI team at the moment. They are ranked number one in the ODI team rankings, and have won their last six ODI series. They are led by Babar Azam, who is ranked number one in the ODI batting rankings. Babar scored a superb 151 off 131 balls in the previous match against Nepal.
Pakistan have a formidable pace unit, with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf leading the attack. Afridi is ranked fourth in the ODI bowling rankings. Pakistan also have some handy spinners, led by Shadab Khan, who is ranked seventh in the ODI all-rounder rankings. Pakistan's batting unit is strengthened by the coming to form of Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored an unbeaten 71-ball 109 in the previous match.
The match between India and Pakistan is expected to be a high-octane encounter, as both teams have a lot of quality and depth. The match will also mark the return of some of the best players in world cricket after a long time. The fans are eagerly waiting for this clash of titans, which is always more than just a game of cricket.
