India vs Pakistan: Fantasy Team for today’s match

It is the clash of arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Some would say this is the warm-up for their World Cup match on the 14th of October. Players from both sides would know that this match is as important as any game in the World Cup. India and Pakistan do not play each other in bilateral series so this will be their first One-Day game against each other since the 2019 World Cup.

India vs Pakistan: Preview

In their previous match, West Indies and India faced off against one other, with West Indies winning the toss and choosing to field. This match showed that India hadn’t lost many deciders in the past. Four separate players, each with a fifty, pounded the bowlers all over the pitch as they put a whopping 351 runs on the board. In response, the West Indies struggled to get going and was weighed down by the enormous total. They were dismissed for just 151 runs, and India easily won the match by 200 runs.

In their most recent match, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat against Nepal after winning the match. Pakistan did not relent in their pursuit of as many goals as they could against a hesitant Nepal. Pakistan concluded with 342 on the board after losing their openers cheaply. Babar, Rizwan, and Iftikhar then pounded every bowler who came before them. As they kept losing wickets, Nepal was never in the chase and was comfortably bowled out for 104. With a commanding victory of 238 runs in the opening game of the Asia Cup, Pakistan made a statement.

India vs Pakistan: Match details

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele 

Date: 2nd September, 3:00 PM (Local), 3:00 PM (IST)

Where to watch in India: Star Sports India (TV) and Disney+ Hotstar (Streaming)

India vs Pakistan: Pitch Report

The ground at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is very evenly balanced. Due to the turn and bounce on offer, spinners in particular may receive a bit more assistance. On this pitch, hitters that can rotate strike well will fare well. The average first innings total is 195, therefore teams that win the toss may decide to chase.

India vs Pakistan: Fantasy Team

Wicketkeeper

Mohammad Rizwan: Mohammad Rizwan pips out Indian keepers with KL Rahul being injured. He had a decent outing in the last game and was looking in great touch before being run out.

Batters

Virat Kohli (C): There is no one among the two teams who has a better record than Virat Kohli in big games, particularly the India vs Pakistan game. Kohli will be a great choice for the captaincy role and could well be the difference in today’s game.

Rohit Sharma: Even though the change of his approach has meant that he has been slightly short of runs of late, still there is hardly any opener who is better than Rohit Sharma in white-ball cricket. The Indian skipper could play a crucial role in today’s game.

Babar Azam: Babar Azam is coming into this game fresh after a 151 against Nepal in the opening game of the Asia Cup. Babar could be a great choice for a captain role but he does not have a great track record against Indian bowlers.

All-rounders

Ravindra Jadeja: On a pitch that could assist spinners, Ravindra Jadeja with his left-arm orthodox bowling could be a handful on this track.

Hardik Pandya: Hardik Pandya is another player who has time and again performed in the big games. He is getting his fitness ready to bowl quite some overs and could be among the wickets as well.

Shadab Khan: Shadab Khan has been in great form of late. He is a great spinner and has the ability to make a difference within the matters of a few deliveries with the bat in hand.

Bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah: Jasprit Bumrah is making a return to ODI cricket after a long time. One thing that Bumrah has shown even in the T20Is against Ireland is that his body is ready to bowl at a great speed along with the accuracy of line and length.

Mohammed Shami: Mohammed Shami is someone who can take the wickets with the new ball as well as in the death overs. 

Shaheen Afridi (VC): Shaheen Afridi will be the vice-captain of our fantasy team. He has made a habit of picking a wicket or two in the very first over.

Naseem Shah: Naseem Shah is another exciting young talented fast bowler from Pakistan. His searing pace makes him a handful on any surface against some of the best batters.

India vs Pakistan: Fantasy XI

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan

Batters: Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Babar Azam

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Shadab Khan

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Shaheen Afridi (VC), Naseem Shah