1 September 2023, Mumbai: In preparation for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 clash against arch-rivals India, Pakistan has unveiled its playing eleven. The blockbuster showdown is scheduled to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, with captains Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma set to flip the coin toss at 2:30 PM (IST), followed by thirty minutes of action-packed cricket.
Pakistan’s Bowling Arsenal in Focus
As the lineup suggests, Pakistan is entering the match with a formidable bowling lineup, a strategy they often employ. The team will field five bowling options, featuring two spinners, Shadan Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, and three fast bowlers, namely Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. This pace and swing trio is poised to pose a significant challenge to the Indian batting order, which includes prominent names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and others.
Battle of Batting Prowess
With the absence of KL Rahul due to injury, Ishan Kishan is expected to step into his shoes. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer, returning from an injury-enforced hiatus, will be eager to make a strong impression. India’s batting contingent faces a stern test against one of the world’s best bowling attacks. Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has already demonstrated his prowess in this format, along with Iftikhar Ahmed, who recently showcased his explosive batting skills against Nepal, treating the game as if it were a T20I match.
Pakistan Playing XI
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the Asia Cup clash includes: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (Captain), Salman Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.