The fiercely aggressive rivalry between India and Pakistan might probably materialise in as much as three encounters ought to they advance via the phases of the six-nation regional championship.While Pakistan and Sri Lanka share internet hosting duties as a consequence of a collaborative association, a compromise stemming from India’s refusal to tour Pakistan, the event’s climax is ready for September 17 in Colombo.
Babar Azam‘s Pakistan, having secured the highest rank within the ODI rankings following an emphatic 3-0 sequence sweep towards Afghanistan, launch their marketing campaign at house on Wednesday in Multan towards Asia Cup newcomers Nepal.
Azam, who scored 113 runs within the Afghanistan sequence, leads a facet containing a triple-pronged quick bowling assault in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
World Cup hosts India, led by Rohit Sharma, will open their marketing campaign towards Pakistan in a hotly anticipated conflict on Saturday in Pallekele.
India and Pakistan, who solely play towards one another in worldwide tournaments as a result of nations’ long-standing political tensions, are anticipated to fulfill once more within the Super Four stage and will face off for a 3rd time within the ultimate.
“It’s not just Pakistan, there are other teams,” Rohit mentioned of the hype surrounding the Pakistan clashes, with the rivals additionally scheduled to fulfill within the 50-over World Cup in Ahmedabad on October 14.
“Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup last year. So there are other teams who are playing good cricket and will challenge us.”
Rohit mentioned the Asia Cup was the right place to “test ourselves, try and put ourselves under pressure and respond to that pressure.”
India’s batting has been boosted by the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer alongside Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Rohit.
The 50-over World Cup begins on October 5 in India.
Sri Lanka, who received the Asia Cup final yr in Dubai when it was performed as a Twenty20 event, have been hit by accidents forward of their opener towards Bangladesh in Kandy on Thursday .
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera is all however out of the event with a shoulder harm and leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is uncertain for not less than the group matches having missed the Lanka Premier League ultimate eight days in the past with a thigh pressure.
Bangladesh have had a troublesome build-up with Tamim Iqbal stepping down as captain and lacking the event with a again harm as he tries to get match for the World Cup.
Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been reappointed captain via to the tip of the World Cup. He beforehand led Bangladesh for 50 one-day internationals between 2009 and 2017.
Afghanistan, regardless of their current loss to Pakistan, can pose issues with their potent spin assault of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi.
They even have in-form batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz who smashed 151 in a shedding trigger within the second sport towards Pakistan.
Minnows Nepal could possibly be in for a baptism of fireplace having been clubbed with India and Pakistan in Group A. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan make up Group B.
The prime two groups from every group advance to the Super Four with the main two within the standings contesting the ultimate.
(With AFP Inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com