Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan to field same playing XI in India clash as first match | Bat N Ball

Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan to field same playing XI in India clash as first match

Amidst the global anticipation surrounding the forthcoming cricket showdown between Pakistan and India, set to unfold this Saturday, the national team has unveiled its starting eleven for the second clash of the 2023 Asia Cup, scheduled to kick off at the Pakelle Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan is poised to take the field against India with an unchanged roster from their victorious encounter against Nepal during the inaugural Asia Cup match in Multan just this past Wednesday.

The national squad arrived in Kandy on Thursday, following their initial clash.

During a press conference held in Kandy, Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, articulated on Friday that the Men in Green hold a distinct home ground advantage against India on Sri Lankan soil, owing to their recent extensive exposure to cricket in the region.

It's noteworthy that Pakistan boasts a profound familiarity with the playing conditions in Sri Lanka, having engaged in a Test series against the Sri Lankan host team, an ODI series versus Afghanistan, and the participation of several players in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) hosted in the same nation over the last two months.

"We find ourselves devoid of any burdensome pressure; instead, we ride the wave of a winning momentum, and our aim is to sustain this momentum," expressed Babar Azam.

He affirmed that every player within the squad is brimming with enthusiasm, acknowledging the unparalleled anticipation that surrounds the Pakistan-India cricketing duel, regarded as a global spectacle.

"The entire world awaits this contest with bated breath, and we are optimistic that it shall be a memorable spectacle," he appended.

The captain further underscored their commitment to fielding the strongest starting eleven and delivering commendable performances in the fixtures constituting the continental cricketing extravaganza.

Babar Azam also elucidated that although performance levels can fluctuate, the team has consistently performed well in recent times.

"While we encountered some challenges in our middle-order batting, it has since displayed marked improvement," he remarked.

The global audience is set to be treated to a guaranteed blockbuster clash as arch-rivals Pakistan and India square off, drawing a substantial crowd of spectators to the host city of Kandy to witness this enthralling match.

Starting Lineup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.