PAK vs IND Match Preview
In this match, our focus is on the batters Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, and Fakhar Zaman. Imam ul Haq has demonstrated exceptional performance in the ODI format, boasting an average of 51.50 over 62 matches, with 9 centuries and 18 fifties. Although his average against India is not particularly impressive, at just 6.33 with a best of 10 in three matches, he is currently in good form.
Babar Azam is undoubtedly the most coveted wicket, given his remarkable ability to score ODI runs with ease. It is imperative that he maintains his usual tempo. However, Pakistan faces a challenge with Fakhar Zaman's lack of form and an untested middle-order.
The team has often relied on Shadab Khan to rescue them with some lower-order cameos. Therefore, we anticipate a conservative start to preserve wickets.
The bowling lineup will feature Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, arguably the best bowling attack in the world. With genuine pace, swing, and venom at all stages of the game, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi will lead the attack with the new ball, while Haris Rauf will come first change.
Shadab Khan is the lead spinner, and the conditions will dictate whether the fifth bowler is a spinner or a fast bowler.
India is already on the back foot heading into this match against Pakistan as KL Rahul, its first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, is unavailable for this match. In his absence, India will have to either shake up its top order or make Ishan Kishan bat out of position.
We have a feeling it will be Virat Kohli who shifts down to number four with Shubman Gill coming in at 3 so that Kishan can open the batting with Rohit Sharma.
India's batting is quite strong with a lot of experience and depth. The focus will be on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but do not count out Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, or even Hardik Pandya. Most of India's ODI batters average around 50 and are used to scoring big runs.
The only problem that India has is in finding the right balance of its playing eleven because none of its batters bowl and none of its bowlers bat. India's batting ends at number seven with four number eleven to follow. We think this could be somewhat negated by playing Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel/Shardul Thakur at 6,7,8.
The question, though, is whether India would be better served playing Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah and simply backing its top-7 batters to do the job. In our opinion, India will have to choose two of its three fast bowlers, probably Siraj and Bumrah, with Kuldeep Yadav as the wrist-spinner and fill the rest of the overs with its all-rounders.
Weather Report
The weather forecast for 2nd September 2023 in Pallekele is a bit mixed. There is some rain expected with a consistent cloud cover overhead.
Pitch Report
The average score batting first is 248 but teams will be aiming for a minimum of 300 runs and perhaps even 320. We saw Afghanistan chase down 311 against Sri Lanka in November 2022 at this very venue so there are plenty of runs to be had at this venue in general.
Notable stats
Babar Azam: ODI Great
We don't want to get into comparisons between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli but there is no doubt that Babar Azam is breaking records with ease. He is the quickest to 19 hundreds and averages a 50+ inning every two innings.
Team News
KL Rahul is unavailable for selection but other than that, both teams are at full strength.
PAK vs IND Probable 11
PAK Playing 11
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam ul Haq
- Babar Azam (C)
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wk)
- Agha Salman
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Shaheen Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Naseem Shah
IND Playing 11
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Ishan Kishan (Wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammad Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammad Siraj
Dream11 Prediction
We think this is going to be c lose match but India has the experience to edge past a strong Pakistan team.
Top Picks
Babar Azam: The ease with which he scores runs is incredible. He made a 150 score in his previous match and is in terrific form. he would also like to set his record straight against India.
Virat Kohli - An average of 90 across formats when playing against Pakistan shows that Virat Kohli is up for the job under pressure. We just do not bet against him in matches against Pakistan!
Jasprit Bumrah - Refreshed and perhaps renewed, Bumrah looked very good in the tri series against Ireland. This will be his biggest test yet but he should come through with flying colors.
PAK vs IND Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: M Rizwan
Batters: R Sharma, V Kohli (VC), B Azam (C), I Haq, S Gill
All-rounders: S Khan
Bowlers: J Bumrah, K Yadav, M Siraj, S Afridi