India Vs Pakistan, MCG - ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022; Match Preview
India and Pakistan, the bitter arch rivals will take on each other to start their campaigns in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022.
With the recent off field issues where India refuse to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, the match has some added spice although players from both sides seem to have mellowed down over the years.
Melbourne, which will host the crucial tie has had iffy weather conditions lately; with there being a 90% chance of rain till today morning. The weather forecast seems to have improved a little bit and the fans would be hoping that we can squeeze in a full game.
India and Pakistan faced each other twice during the recently concluded Asia Cup where both won a game apiece. Pakistan since then went on to lose to England at home 3-4 and win the tri series in NZ featuring Bangladesh as the third side. India, on the other hand, defeated Australia and South Africa at home comfortably.
Indian batting looks to be firing on all cylinders with Rahul and Rohit in decent form while Kohli also stuck the much awaited hundred recently. Suryakumar Yadav is currently one if the best T20 batsman in the world while Pandya is in good nick as well. DK should get the nod ahead of Pant.
The Pakistan batting relies heavily on the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their middle order is often floating with Fakhar Zaman at 3 but positions 4-7 changing depending on match and opposition. Nawaz, Iftikhar, Asif Ali and Haider Ali have all played important cameos recently to get Pakistan over the line.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is back for them after missing the Asia Cup and he holds the key against Indian batters who often struggle against left arm quick bowling. There's also the impressive Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf completing the pace attack. Shadab Khan, along with Nawaz and Iftikhar bowling spin give a well rounded look to their bowling line up.
India will probably start with the experienced Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami along with death over specialist Arshadeep Singh. Chahal has to start over Ashwin considering Babar and Rizwan are both right handed batters. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya should complete the 5th over.
Key Battles: India vs Pakistan
KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Vs Shaheen Shah Afridi
Whoever wins this battle will go a long way towards winning this all important clash.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Vs Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami
The Pakistani openers are a little susceptible to the moving ball and if Bhuvi and Shami manage to nip them out early then Pakistan will be under huge pressure.
India vs Pakistan is a contest which goes way beyond a game! Fans from both sides get truly charged up for this particular clash. They will be hoping that the Melbourne weather can hold up and we get to witness a great game at MCG packed with over 75,000 people cheering on for their country.
Probable India XI
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal
Probable Pakistan XI
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Top 5 Fantasy Picks for India v Pakistan at MCG, Melbourne
Virat Kohli
Suryakumar Yadav
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
The match will start at 01.30 PM IST (streamed live on Disney Hotstar app & on TV on Star Sports 1)
Which way do you see this match going? Who will emerge victorious?
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