DUBAI: Cricket fever has reached its zenith as the two arch-rivals and Asia giants India and Pakistan are set to lock horns once again in a span of one week in the high-octane clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 Super Fours.
In less than a week, the arch-rivals will meet again, and they could do so two more times in the current year.
The two sides last met in the Group A fixture of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 when India edged past Pakistan by five wickets in a final-over thriller.
All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya played the pivotal role in the much-needed victory for the defending champions as the duo put on a match-defining 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
India, however, will be missing the services of their last match’s top-scorer against arch-rivals Pakistan as Jadeja has been ruled out of the continental event with a knee injury. Whereas, their right-arm pacer Avesh Khan will also miss the anticipated clash due to fever.
The Green Shirts, however, who seek revenge to their last week’s bitter defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals India, sustained an alike setback as their young right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani has been sidelined from the all-important clash with a side strain.
Despite Dahani’s unavailability, Pakistan still have two right-arm pacers – Mohammad Hasnain and Hasan Ali, who can fill into the Playing XI as suitable replacement.
Following the injuries scare, both sides will now be heavily relying on their top-order despite Babar Azam being out of touch, having managed to amass 19 in two matches.
On the other side, Pakistan will be hoping that their spin department works flawlessly and will be overjoyed if Naseem Shah manages to match his performance from the previous time the two Asian powerhouses met.
Before taking the field in a much-anticipated clash India are currently unbeaten in the tournament with two victories in two matches against Pakistan and Hong Kong respectively.
Pakistan, however, managed to win one game out of their two group fixtures against Hong Kong as they thrashed the associate side by a massive margin of 155 runs. The resounding victory might play a morale booster for the Green Shirts.
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Apart from all these factors, another component that holds importance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the toss and due factor. It is often said the side winning the toss in UAE is more likely to win the match as well and the stats too proved it right from the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.
HEAD TO HEAD
Matches-10, India-8, Pakistan-2
