India, Pakistan set to resume the biggest rivalry in cricket

India and Pakistan will face each other in the group stage of Asia Cup 2023. This will be the first ODI between the two arch-rivals since the encounter in the 2019 World Cup, also also the first of a possible round of matches between these two sides in this Asia Cup and the upcoming World Cup. They are certain to play at least 3 matches, and possibly 4 or even 5 matches if they meet the final of the Asia Cup and a knock-out(Semi-final or final match of the World Cup.

India undoubtedly has the best lineup in this Asia Cup and Pakistan possibly has the best fast-bowling unit in this tournament. India is known for producing the best of the batters and Pakistan is always the home for genuine fast bowlers. This match would present a great contest between the Indian batters and the Pakistani bowlers. The sight of seeing might of Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, and Virat Kohli facing the thunderbolts from Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf keeps one glued to the screen.

The weather for the day does not look great, as there are some chances of rain and we could see a delayed start of the match. The team winning the toss would probably look to bowl first and make use of the cloudy conditions in the early hour.

The top order of both the teams picks themselves, India has a top-order of Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, and Virat Kohli, and Pakistan has Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam as their top 3. The middle order is something that both the teams would like to do better; India's No.4 and No.5 are Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul and both of them are coming from long injuries. Iyer is match-fit, but Rahul is not yet fit to play the first two matches of this tournament and Ishan Kishan would play in his place. The No.6 and No.7 would be occupied by the all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, both of whom are known for making quick runs. Pakistan has Mohammad Rizwan as their designated No.4. Their No.5 and No.6 are the two new faces, Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed, and both of them are coming off form behind them. Shadab Khan comes in at No.7; Although he has played some good knocks, that seems to be a spot higher for him. Mohammad Nawaz follows Shahab in the batting order, or if they opt for a fast-bowling all-rounder, they can play Faheem Ashraf at that place. The biggest question for India would be to go with Shardul Thakur and strengthen their batting till 8 or go with both Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami; Playing Thakur would mean one of Siraj or Shami would not be able to play, and based on current form Siraj would pip Shami. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are certain to play as the first-choice spinner and fast bowler respectively. Pakistan has a formidable pace battery of Shaheen Afridi, Nasem Shah, and Haris Rauf.

Probable XIs:
India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.
Pakistan: 

Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Agha Salman, Iftekhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf