Recently, it was announced by Pakistan Cricket Board that Shaheen Shah Afridi would not be part of the Pakistani team that will face India and others in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 in UAE. Earlier in the month, the Board of Cricket Council of India had revealed that Jasprit Bumrah would also not feature in the Asia Cup 2022. The Indian pacer is ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. Both India and Pakistan will be without their premium fast bowler, which will make it hard for them to find the right balance. In their last meeting at T20 World Cup, Pakistan bossed India due to the fiery spell of Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, this time around, they will be counting on other bowlers to do the job. India will be hoping for payback for the loss in World Cup. Both teams will be counting on certain players to do the job for them at Asia Cup 2022 on 28th August.
Here are 7 players expected to perform in India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022:
1- Virat Kohli
The legendary batter is going through the roughest phase of his career. It’s been over a thousand days since Virat Kohli raised his bat on the cricketing field after scoring a hundred. On countless occasions, he has looked good but, for one reason or another, has found ways of getting out. Kohli was the highest scorer for India when Pakistan ran through the Indian batting lineup at the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Indian team and the fans would be hoping that Virat Kohli finds his mojo back against the arch-rival Pakistan in the tournament.
2- Babar Azam
Babar Azam is perhaps the best batter in international cricket at the moment. He is scoring runs after runs for his team in almost every other game he plays. The Pakistani skipper remained unbeaten on 68* when his team defeated India in the World Cup for the first time. He will be expected to score loads of runs in the match at Asia Cup 2022.
3- Mohammad Rizwan
The pocket dynamite Mohammad Rizwan is highly underrated as a batter in the shortest format of the game. His attacking approach allows Babar to play his natural game. He was the one who took the game away from India in the first ten overs itself at the T20 World Cup. Rizwan was unbeaten on 79* in the glorious victory against India. Pakistan will be hoping that he once again repeats the heroics.
4- Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a rising left-arm pacer, will be under immense pressure to perform as the frontline bowler for India during the death overs. Arshdeep is known for his uncanny ability to not get hit for boundaries by bowling in the right areas at the right moment. He was excellent against West Indies, and India will be hoping that he does not let them feel the absence of Jasprit Bumrah in Asia Cup 2022 against Pakistan.
Also Read: India’s Probable XI for India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022
5- Rishabh Pant
The left-handed wicketkeeper batter will be fighting for his place in the Indian T20I set-up against the veteran Dinesh Karthik, who has performed exceptionally well for India in the past two T20 series. Rishabh Pant is still India’s first-choice wicketkeeper due to his immense potential and the ability to hit long sixes in the T20s. This might be the last chance that Pant could make use of to prove that he should play ahead of Dinesh Karthik in the playing eleven.
6- Rohit Sharma
The Indian skipper is easily among the players who are expected to perform in India vs Pakistan clash at Asia Cup 2022. Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck by Shaheen Afridi in the T20 World Cup. He will be eager to make a statement against Pakistan in Asia Cup. The Indian fans and team are hoping that the captain goes big in the upcoming match.
7- KL Rahul
Rohit’s partner at the top, KL Rahul, has returned to cricket after battling an injury for months. In the recent T20I against Zimbabwe, he played a forgetful inning, but that would not stop the Indian management from sending him to open with Rohit at the Asia Cup 2022. Rahul will be hoping to leave an impact against Pakistan in Asia Cup.