India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 stage© AFP
The Pakistan cricket team has announced their playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match against India on Sunday. There were no changes to the team that defeated Bangladesh in their first Super 4 match as the Babar Azam-led team decided to stick with the winning combination. It means there will be no comeback for Mohammad Nawaz after he was replaced by fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Pakistan also decided not to make any changes to their attack in the form of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who have enjoyed brilliant form in the Asia Cup 2023.
Babar will once again back his deadly pace trio to achieve a similar feat against their biggest rival.
“I am proud of my pacers. We all dominate. Big matches and tournaments are won by fast bowlers. I have faith in them. The secret of their success is that they stay united and believe in themselves. If you don’t have a good day, the other one steps up and covers it,” Babar said at the pre-match press conference.
In their first encounter in the Asia Cup group stage, India posted a total of 266 but rain intervened and washed out the game completely.
With clouds again looming over Colombo, Babar said the team is focused on what it can control. “We’re focusing on things we can control. It rained for four days. The way the sun is out, it doesn’t look like it’s going to rain. But we’re going to focus on making the most of the time we get,” said he .
Pakistan (Playing XI) vs India: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
(With ANI inputs)
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