This Saturday, cricket fans are in for a treat as Pakistan, the host nation, squares off against Rohit Sharma's Team India in the third match of the Asia Cup 2023. The much-anticipated game will unfold at the Pallekelle International Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
A Rivalry Renewed After Four Years
It's been four years since India and Pakistan last clashed in an ODI, with their previous encounter taking place during the 2019 Cricket World Cup in Manchester. The cricketing world is buzzing with excitement as these two arch-rivals prepare to renew their storied competition.
The Tale of the Tape: India vs Pakistan
When it comes to head-to-head matchups, Pakistan has a slight edge, boasting 73 wins out of 132 ODIs against India. However, the Indian cricket team has been on a roll since 2010, securing victories in 10 out of their last 14 ODIs against Pakistan.
Milestones on the Horizon
Rohit Sharma, who captains Team India, is tantalizingly close to achieving the 10,000-run milestone in ODI cricket. On the other side, former Indian captain Virat Kohli is just 102 runs away from becoming the fastest player to amass 13,000 ODI runs. The Asia Cup 2023 is unique in its 'hybrid model,' with India playing all its matches in Sri Lanka, despite Pakistan being the official host.
While @SGanguly99 knows that @Babarazam58 in his current element will be a challenging nut to crack, he's positive that #India has a fast-bowling attack strong enough to restrict him from doing what he does! 💥 pic.twitter.com/iGJp3aiGPh
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 1, 2023
Weather Woes in Kandy
The MET department has forecasted an 80% chance of rain in Kandy on the day of the match. Fans are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping that the weather will cooperate and allow for an exhilarating contest between the two cricketing giants.
Everything You Need to Know
When and Where?
- Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
- Venue: Pallekelle International Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Time: The match will commence at 3 pm IST, with the toss scheduled for 2:30 pm.
How to Watch?
- Television: The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India.
- Online Streaming: Free live streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar for mobile subscribers. For those willing to pay a subscription fee, the match can also be streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar website and app.
Predicted Line-ups for the Big Clash
Team India: Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav/Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami
Team Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
So, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable showdown between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023!