It’s the big one – India versus Pakistan. It is the clash everyone has been waiting for. An India vs. Pakistan clash is unique because they happen so rarely, because of the political tensions between the two countries.
These matches are held under tight security and there were as many as 10 bodyguards for each player from both sides! Clearly, the Bangladesh government is not taking any chances with the players’ safety.
The last time India and Pakistan played was back in the World Cup, which to the delight of 1.3 billion Indian cricket fans, India won. Nothing short of a win will be expected from the Indian team this time around as well.
The Indian and Pakistani sides are closely matched because Indians have the best batting line-up in the world and the Pakistanis, perhaps the best bowling attack. There are a number of world class fast bowlers in the Pakistani side, led by the brilliant Wahab Riaz.
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India have the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli – three top players who can win matches for your any day. And they are backed by the veteran trio of MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, all match winners in their own right. And did we mention that India have the big hitting Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja coming at No. 7 and No. 8? This is a dream batting line-up indeed.
What do the players have to say about it all?
Rohit Sharma talks about the importance of remaining consistent in an India versus Pakistan clash: “It plays a huge part. If any individual knows he has the backing of his captain and the management, that’s when he opens up and tries to express himself and gets that performance out.”
Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi, who has played in many great India-Pakistan clashes over the last 20 years, said he wasn’t thinking about retiring yet, at least not on the eve of such an important match: “I think for me the Asia Cup and the World Cup is more important than my retirement and I am focusing on that at the moment.”
Virat Kohli insisted that an India-Pakistan clash was like any other: “There is a lot of hype, which is exciting for the people. But on the field it’s the same as playing any other team.”
Shoaib Malik, the Pakistani player who is married to Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza said the players just wanted to enjoy the contest, that’s all: “People from both countries enjoy this encounter and they want their team to win. The cricketers are the same, they give their best and enjoy the contest a lot.”
Certainly, we are in for an exciting match. But more than the Indian batting itself, it will be the Indian bowling attack that will decide which way the match goes. In Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, India have a decent pace attack, backed by the world’s best spinner Ravi Ashwin and the accurate Ravindra Jadeja. As fans of the Indian cricket team, we can only hope for the best!
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As for team news, captain Dhoni should play despite his back spasms. Pakistan have a pick of fast bowlers to choose from, and they are likely to go with Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Anwar Ali.
The Teams
India: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 MS Dhoni (capt & wk)/Parthiv Patel, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Ashish Nehra
Pakistan: 1 Sharjeel Khan, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Umar Akmal, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Imad Wasim, 6 Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Shahid Afridi (capt), 8 Anwar Ali/Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Mohammad Amir, 11 Mohammad Irfan
Match Conditions
The Mirpur pitch should be ideal for batting and we expect a plenty of runs. The fast bowlers will need to really bend their backs and work hard to get anything out of the track. No rains expected, though. Expect a hot and humid day.
Watch India take on Pakistan in the Asia Cup tonight at 7:30 pm on Star Sports!
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