T20 World Cup: India eye revenge for 2021, Pakistan high on confidence after tri-series win
Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam will clash for the third time in 2022 on October 23 (Sunday) at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Photo: Getty Images
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan will square off in their first match of ICC T20 World Cup on October 23 (Sunday) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
After suffering a 10-wicket humiliating defeat against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup last year, Indian team will be eyeing revenge. Pakistan is also high on confidence due to their good form in the format, and will be looking to better their record against India in ICC events.
It will also be the first time Rohit Sharma is captaining India against Pakistan at a World Cup. For Pakistan, Babar Azam will be leading the side once again in a crucial game.
What are the changes in both teams?
- For India, lead Jasprit Bumrah has been replaced by Mohammad Shami due to his back injury.
- Deepak Hooda is also included in the side, however, it is not clear whether he will be playing against Pakistan or not.
- For Pakistan, the management has brought two batters Shan Masood and Haider Ali to resolve their middle order crisis.
- Star pacer Shaheen Afridi, who didn't feature in the Asia Cup, has also returned to the team.
Shaheen Afridi who had been out of the team due to his knee injury will play against India. Photo: Getty Images
Head-to head
- In T20 World Cups since 2007, India and Pakistan have faced each other six times (2007, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021).
- Out of these six, India has beaten Pakistan 5 times.
- Pakistan won against India won once in 2021
If we look at the records, India has a big edge over Pakistan considering their record against Pakistan in ICC tournaments. They are also number one side in the format. Pakistan, on the other hand, will also be high on confidence after winning the T20I tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Third encounter in less than 2 months:
India will face Pakistan for the third time in less than two months time. Before this, India had faced Pakistan twice in 2022 in the Asia Cup. The Rohit Sharma-led side won the first match but lost the crucial second match.
After that India won T20I series against South Africa and Australia. Pakistan lost a 7-match series against England 3-4, but However bounced back and won a tri-series series against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Rain may play spoilsport: The much awaited clash between India and Pakistan may is threatened by the poor weather in Melbourne. According to local Met department, there is 80 to 90 per cent chance of rainfall. On Friday evening the venue for the game saw a good spell of rain. However, the locals are confident that even if the heavens open up, there could still be a curtailed match, reported PTI.
Probably XI for India: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami
Probable XI for Pakistan: Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Hasnain.
The match be telecast LIVE at 1.30 pm IST on Star Network and will also streamed LIVE on Disney+Hotstar.