Done with the pre-game formalities and it is now time for the play to begin!
We are just a few minutes away from the start of this highly-anticipated contest but first, the two sets of players will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of India first followed by the national anthem of Pakistan.
India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma says that they were looking to bat first as it looks like a good pitch and yes, there will be challenges but runs on the board can be crucial. Adds that every game from hereon is very important for them and they have an opportunity to come out and play well. Mentions that you can’t control the weather and they are well-rested for this clash. Informs that they a couple of changes with Shreyas Iyer out due to a back-spasm and Jasprit Bumrah also returns to the side.
Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan says that they will bowl first. He adds that he feels chasing will be easier and says that it is a high-intensity match. He feels happy with the form of his players. He ends by saying that his team has no changes.
India (Playing XI) – Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (In for KL Rahul), Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah (In for Mohammad Shami).
Pakistan (Unchanged XI) – Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.
TOSS – Babar Azam flips the coin and Rohit Sharma calls ‘Heads’. It lands in favour of Pakistan and they will BOWL first.
PITCH REPORT – Sanjay Manjrekar is pitchside. He says that the pitch has been watered well and it seems sunny now. The pitch is even with a little grass. Waqar Younis joins him and says that the pacers will have an advantage and it is expected to turn as well. They reckon that chasing the target will be easier on this pitch.
India on the other hand have a hectic week coming up as they are yet to play a single game in the Super Four stage. They did get an easy win against Nepal in their previous game but given what happened in that rain-curtailed match last time around against Pakistan, they will surely look to start better against the new ball. Their bowlers haven’t been tested as of yet and will be raring to go. Will we see a full game take place? And if so, which of these two giants of the game will have the last say? We shall find out. Toss and team news in a bit.
Pakistan come into this upbeat with their victory against Bangladesh in the last match and a win here will all but seal the top spot for them in this stage. The pacers are in scintillating form and the top order also has batters in good touch. Their spin attack and the sixth bowling option will certainly be something they would be hoping to improve upon going into this mammoth clash.
Hello and a very warm welcome to one and all! It is now time for that epic clash once again as eternal rivals, Pakistan and India face off in a crucial match number 3 of the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. A lot of talk about the rain and the inclement weather in Colombo but to everyone’s delight, it is nice and sunny at the moment, although there is a chance of rain later in the day, let’s hope for a complete game. We do have a reserve day tomorrow, in case it’s needed.
… MATCH DAY …
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