Preview

India and Pakistan will kick start their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign by taking on each other on October 23, Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Since the last T20 World Cup, India and Pakistan have faced off twice, and both games took place during the Asia Cup 2022. Both the clashes were the nail-bitting thrillers, India winning the first encounter and Pakistan had the upper hand in the second clash.

Since, the last T20 World Cup lot of things have changed for both the sides. Up to Now, India and Pakistan have played 11 T20Is, India winning 8 out of these 11 fixtures. The first time these two rivals met in a T20I game was back in 2007 in the inaugural World T20.

Recent forms of both sides

Recently, India won the series against Australia and South Africa back at home. India have won 4 out of their 5 T20I games. Similarly, Pakistan went on to beat the kiwis at their backyard in the recently concluded three-nations tri-series which was played between Pakistan, Bangaldesh and the host New Zealand. They also have 4 victories in their last 5 encounters.

Probable Playing XI

India: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel/ Ravi Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

There might be no headche for the captain and the coach in selecting the playing XI but there might be some toss up between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. However, looking at DK's recent form he might get a chance ahead of Rishabh. Indian team would also be eyeing on playing Ravichandran Ashwin as there are couple of left handers in the Pakistan side. The main headache for the team is their death bowling department, they might leave Harshal out and play Shami ahead of him because of his experience in the Australian conditions.

Pakistan : Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

Like death bowling department is a headache for India, middle-order has also been a headache and a sign of worry for Pakistan team. Recent inclusion of Fakhar Zaman might solve this issue but he is in the team after an injury and lack of runs to his belt. Recently, M Nawaz has shown some glimpse of temperament in holding the middle order. A fit Shaheen Afridi will surely boost the moral of whole Pakistan team.

Match Details

India Vs Pakistan

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground

Date: 23rd October, 2022

There was a high prediction of rainfall in Melbourne during the game time but as of now the news is quite positive. The sky looks clear and there is very little chance of rainfall and it is expected to be yet another nail bitting thriller.