COLOMBO: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, announced Pakistan’s Playing XI for the anticipated Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash against arch-rivals India.
Pakistan will field an unchanged lineup which handed a seven-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Super 4s match of the Asia Cup 2023.
Our playing XI for the #PAKvIND match 🇵🇰#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/K25PXbLnYe
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 9, 2023
The lineup features Pakistan captain Babar Azam, his deputy Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Faheem, who replaced Mohammad Nawaz in Pakistan’s Playing XI for the Bangladesh fixture, justified his inclusion with brilliant bowling, giving away only 27 runs in his seven overs and taking the prized wicket of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.
The Asia Cup 2023 group-stage PAK vs IND clash marked the two teams’ first faceoff in the ODI format since the 2019 World Cup.
The two fierce rivals came face to face on September 2 but the rain played spoilsport after Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah booked India on 266.
The second innings of the blockbuster clash could not be possible and the two sides settled for a point each.
Meanwhile, with Faheem in the Playing XI, Pakistan’s bowling attack looked more lethal which decimated India’s strong batting order.
The two fierce rivals are now set for their rematch in the Super 4s on Sunday, which will have a reserve day.
But the rain has refused to ease out and is forecast till the end of the tournament.
It is pertinent to mention that a victory in the blockbuster PAK vs IND clash, would propel Pakistan into the final of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 but in case of a washout, Pakistan would need at least a draw against Sri Lanka to advance into the tournament.
READ: Asia Cup 2023: Samarawickrama’s blitz powers Sri Lanka to 257 against Bangladesh