India and Pakistan will open their campaign in Asia Cup 2022 with the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday (August 28). The fifteenth edition of the Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on Saturday (August 27) with a clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. On the next day, India and Pakistan will be resuming their rivalry on the cricket field.
This will be their first meeting of the year. The last India vs Pakistan match had taken place in last year’s T20 World Cup where Pakistan had inflicted a humiliating 10-wicket defeat on India. Pakistan will be eyeing yet another win over India while the Men in Blue will be desperate to avenge their loss and start their campaign on a winning note.
India are the defending champions and one of the firm favourites to win Asia Cup 2022. Pakistan are also one of the pre-tournament favourites and they too would be keen to start their campaign with a win. With so much at stake, the upcoming India vs Pakistan clash promises to be a thrilling affair. So before the match gets underway, we are taking a look at 4 player battles that could decide the India vs Pakistan clash.
4 Player Battles That Could Decide India vs Pakistan match:
Rohit Sharma vs Naseem Shah
Rohit Sharma and Naseem Shah will have the responsibility to give their team a good start with the bat and ball respectively. Rohit is one of the best and most decorated batsmen in T20Is and would be looking to lead the team from the very front in the India vs Pakistan clash. The right-handed batsman does not have a very impressive T20I record against Pakistan.
He has scored only 70 runs from 8 matches with a highest score of an unbeaten 30. The upcoming game will give Rohit yet another opportunity to improve his record against the arch-rivals. And the one player who could spoil the game for the India skipper is Naseem Shah. Known for his pace as well as ability to swing the ball, Naseem will be a big threat for India’s top-order.
Over the years, Rohit has looked tentative at the start of his innings and it could give Naseem an upper-hand in the battle. This battle could very well decide the course of the India vs Pakistan match.