Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the monumental clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, set to unfold in the opening match of the Asia Cup 2023. Sri Lanka is the gracious host of this prestigious tournament, and the stage is the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, where the action will kick off on September 2, 2023.
Despite the excitement surrounding the match, there is a looming concern – the weather. Rainfall is forecasted for the day of the match. However, cricket enthusiasts need not worry, as the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is in place to determine the result if weather conditions turn unfavorable.
Both India and Pakistan are entering this encounter with a strong track record. India recently displayed their dominance by whitewashing West Indies in a three-match ODI series. Meanwhile, Pakistan showcased their prowess by defeating Nepal with a convincing 238-run victory in their Asia Cup opener.
The upcoming clash is expected to be fiercely competitive, with both teams having a solid chance of emerging victorious. The toss will likely hold significant importance, as the team batting first will have the opportunity to set a challenging target on a favorable batting surface.
For cricket enthusiasts eager to witness this epic battle, the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and streamed online through the Disney+ Hotstar app. The toss is scheduled for 2:30 PM IST, with the match commencing at 3:00 PM IST, promising an unforgettable start to this prestigious tournament.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Shami, Md. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve).