Pakistan will face India at MCG on 23 rd of October 2022. Babar Azam and co are all set to win against India and continue their winning steak in World Cup 2022.
At the illustrious Melbourne Cricket Ground, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 campaign will begin on Sunday, October 23, against archrival India. Three games between the two teams have taken place over the past 10 months, with Pakistan having a 2-1 advantage.
The Men in Green effectively ended India’s 29-year World Cup curse with a decisive 10-wicket victory in Dubai the previous time the two teams competed in the T20 World Cup, and they would be anxious to add another feather to their cap by defeating India in a World Cup match that too at the storied MCG.
Here is a look at the likely starting lineup for Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match against India. Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and a returning Shaheen Shah Afridi are all expected to have an impact in the marquee match in Australia.
Babar Azam
Mohammad Rizwan
For the past year, Mohammad Rizwan has been the T20I player to watch out for due to his steady play on the 22 yard. Rizwan and Babar have been responsible for the majority of scoring as well, as Pakistan has struggled in recent months due to their weak middle order.
With 281 runs from six innings, the wicketkeeper-batter finished first in the Asia Cup and is presently ranked as the best batter. Additionally, he frequently struck half-centuries in the T20I tri-series in New Zealand before to the T20 World Cup and the subsequent home series against England. In their tantalising match at the MCG next week, Rizwan can certainly defeat India by himself with the form on his side.
Shan Masood
After months of putting in a lot of work in local cricket, Shan Masood will be Pakistan’s third hitter at the T20 World Cup, giving him his big break. Masood was brought back by the selection committee when Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury while fielding in the Asia Cup final.
If Pakistan loses the crucial early wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, Shan has the ability to dislodge the opposition and also display his aggressive batting style.
He scored two half-centuries against England at home. Masood also started the innings in the exhibition match against England and made quick runs. He will be fired up for the important match against India.
Haider Ali
The crucial number four position will be handled by Haider Ali, who was a member of Pakistan’s U19 World Cup roster for the 2020 competition. Middle-order collapses have been occurring often for The Men in Green.
In all likelihood, Haider would be chosen for the starting XI rather than Khushdil Shah, who has struggled recently with his batting. Although the youthful player does not currently have a strong T20I record, he is competent enough to play cameo innings.
Given how he performed against New Zealand in the tri-series final, Haider Ali might surprise everyone when Pakistan plays India in the inaugural T20 World Cup match.
Iftikhar Ahmed
has been inconsistent thus far, but he still makes Pakistan’s starting XI because neither the management nor the selectors have any other appropriate options. On his best day, Ahmed can have a significant effect with the ball and bat.
However, the middle-order batsman had a respectable Asia Cup 2022, finishing with 105 runs from six innings at an average of 26.25, indicating that he can make some eye-catching cameos.
For the crucial match against India on the 23rd of this month, the team management would prefer Iftikhar to the unreliable Khushdil Shah. As the sixth bowler, he can also deliver his offices if necessary.
Asif Ali
There haven’t been any standout performances from Asif Ali other from his four consecutive sixes against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup of last year and a match-winning knock against India in the Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match.
Although he is not currently a dependable middle-order batsman, Pakistan’s power-hitter can easily cross the boundary ropes on his good days and can unquestionably be a game-changer in the final few overs.
If the Indian bowlers want to worry Ali at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in any way, they must bowl in tight lines and lengths.
Shadab Khan
In the crucial match against the Men in Blue, Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan will be another impact player to watch out for.
Shadab can, and has in the past, played match-defining knocks in the final overs in addition to his leg spin.
He concluded the Asia Cup 2022 with eight wickets from five games at an average of 14.13 and added a crucial 36 against Afghanistan in the Super 4 match, which ultimately resulted in a low-scoring thriller.
In the just finished tri-series, Khan also hit an important 34 against New Zealand.
India must therefore prepare for this weekend’s match against all-rounder Shadab Khan.
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz is quite likely to be selected in the starting lineup against India the following week by the Pakistani team management.
He was the one who stunned his bitter rivals with amazing batting fireworks at the Asia Cup.
Nawaz defeated the Rohit Sharma-led squad in the Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match last month with a game-winning 20-ball 42.
In addition, he finished the competition with eight wickets at an average of 13.75 from six games.
The bowling all-rounder would once again be prepared to make a few points against the Indian team on the big stage.
Naseem Shah
In their Asia Cup 2022 group stage match, Naseem Shah came close to scaring India. He cost a lot of money in the Super Four match, though. This year, the young speedster is eager to challenge the legendary Indian batting order.
With the new ball, Shah has the potential to make early breakthroughs, thus Indian captain Rohit Sharma and vice captain KL Rahul should be ready to stop him at the MCG.
The 19-year-old, who is returning after recovering from COVID-19, would like to make a great impression in this T20 World Cup right away.
Haris Rauf
He has been Pakistan’s reliable pacer during the past few months, which have included the Asia Cup and a series against England at home. With his accurate bowling and cleverly disguised yorkers, he is a bowler who has the ability to pose a threat to any batter of the highest calibre in the dying overs.
Rauf is Men in Green’s bowling ace because he is familiar with Australian conditions from his time spent playing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Additionally, he has already given a clear warning to the Indian batsmen that, while playing in Melbourne, he is an entirely different bowler.
In Pakistan’s opening match against India in the tournament, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi, who recently made a comeback, can be a deadly bowling combination.
Shaheen Afridi
He will bowl for the first time in professional cricket after missing the Asia Cup due to a knee injury.
On his way to recovery, he underwent a successful knee procedure in the United Kingdom and continued his bowling practise.
To avoid being on the back foot early, as they were in the previous edition year when they suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss, the Indian top-order, notably the top three batters, must play him conservatively.
In the second and final exhibition game against Afghanistan, Afridi, who is nearing his peak, had a fantastic stint.
During the headline match, all eyes will be on him, thus India needs to be cautious around the left-arm seamer.