Live: IND Vs PAK, Pallekele - Asia Cup, Match 3 | Live Match Centre | India Vs Pakistan | 2023

PREVIEW: It’s that day of the year when the entire cricketing landscape comes to a standstill. Rohit Sharma-led India Cricket Team will face Babar Azam-led Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 at Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Saturday at 3 PM. While there is rain forecast, one could also expect some good batting from Virat Kohli. However, the appeal of the IND vs PAK blockbuster may be a little less as it is only a dress rehearsal of the October 14 India vs Pakistan World Cup 2023 game in Ahmedabad.

The Asia Cup has returned to the 50-over format to facilitate an ideal preparation for World Cup 2023. But for the organizers and the fans India vs Pakistan is not just another game, it is ‘The Match’.

The last time the two sides played, Virat Kohli’s lofted drive off Haris Rauf in Melbourne in T20 World Cup became a part of Indian cricket fans’ memory.

Before that game, Pakistanis rejoiced when Shaheen Afridi’s inswinger got Rohit Sharma. His spell left India on back foot in Dubai in 2021. Now, it’s time for another rematch with the winner taking the bragging rights.

Such performances help players grow into legends. Saturday’s Asia Cup game will be another opportunity for cricketers from both sides to emerge as heroes.

India will also have to keep a close on the selection in the spin department. Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion is certain and he could be coming in at No. 7. But that will leave India with four bowlers who hardly contribute with the bat. India might think long before picking between left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and left-arm spinner Axar Patel.

Teams:
Pakistan Team: Fakhar Zaman - Imam-ul-Haq - Babar Azam(c) - Mohammad Rizwan(w) - Agha Salman - Iftikhar Ahmed - Shadab Khan - Mohammad Nawaz - Shaheen Afridi - Naseem Shah - Haris Rauf - Faheem Ashraf - Mohammad Haris - Mohammad Wasim Jr - Abdullah Shafique - Saud Shakeel - Usama Mir

India Team: Rohit Sharma(c) - Shubman Gill - Virat Kohli - Shreyas Iyer - Ishan Kishan(w) - Hardik Pandya - Ravindra Jadeja - Shardul Thakur - Kuldeep Yadav - Mohammed Shami - Jasprit Bumrah - Mohammed Siraj - Axar Patel - Suryakumar Yadav - Prasidh Krishna - Tilak Varma