Pakistan have announced their Playing XI for the crucial Super 4 clash against India on the eve of the matchday. The ICC’s top-ranked side has been in terrific form and they have decided to play with the same XI from their last match against Bangladesh. They look well-balanced in their opening Super 4 clash and registered a comprehensive 7-wicket win over Bangladesh in Lahore.
Pakistan made a change to their XI for Bangladesh clash as Mohammad Nawaz missed out and Faheem Ashraf took his place and they decided to continue with the winning combination against India in Colombo. They will be playing with just one specialist spinner in the line-up - Shadab Khan. Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed will be the part-time option for them as he rolled his arms in the last match too. Ashraf was impressive with the ball against Bangladesh and claimed a wicket for 27 runs in his 7 overs, which helped him retain his place in the side.
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Our playing XI for the #PAKvIND match 🇵🇰#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/K25PXbLnYe— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 9, 2023
In the group-stage match against India, the Pakistan spinners failed to make much impact as all 10 wickets were picked by the pacers with Shaheen Shah Afridi claiming four scalps. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also troubled the Indian batters and picked three wickets each.
Naseem had a shoulder injury scare against Bangladesh in the Super Four match at Lahore, however, he returned to the field after a few minutes and resumed bowling.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam hailed his pace attack for their impressive show with the ball thus far in the competition and talked about the bench strength too.
“Our pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah looks very confident, they are in a good rhythm and bowling to their strength. Faheem Ashraf proved himself in the match against Bangladesh. We also have other bowlers lined up in our squad, Somehow, they are not getting the chance in the XI but I wish him luck in the future," Babar said on the eve of clash against India.
Pakistan (Playing XI) against 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.
