The high profile clash between India and Pakistan is just round the corner and fans are allready making their pre-match predictions for the much anticipated match. Its worth mentioning that fans on either side of the border will celebrate the win like they won the Asia Cup which makes it the “Mother of all clashes”. Just to give you some hint of the results, we try to predict the winner of the match by some statistics, but at last you have decide- “Whose side you are”. Also read: Asia Cup 2018: India vs Pakistan- Weather report, Pitch Report, Statistics, Winner Prediction and more
A horrifying record for the opposition
There was a big concern over Pakistan’s performance in UAE until 2015 but the boys in Green bounced back in style and have won 9 consecutive ODI matches from 2016 in UAE including the Asia Cup encounter against Hong Kong.
Head to head in Asia Cup
The Indian team have managed to win on 6 occasions in 12 matches. Pakistan emerged victorious on 5 occasions while 1 match ended in no result.
Absence of highest-run getter
Virat Kohli is the highest run-getter for India with 459 runs including two centuries and an average of 45.90 in the last 12 clashes against Pakistan.
Mohammed Hafeez, who was not picked in the squad is the highest run-getter for Pakistan with 437 runs in nine matches at an average of 54.62.
Last encounter
In a high profile clash in 2017 Champions trophy final, Pakistan emerged victorious by 180 runs, thanks to the heroics of Fakhar Zaman(114) and Mohammad Amir (3/16).
Last encounter in Asia Cup
Both the rivals last met in 2016 Asia Cup which was played in t20 format. In a low scoring encounter Mohammad Amir was destructive but that was not enough to stop India register a 5 wickets win.
Problems for India
- Middle order woes
Indian team have failed to find a reliable middle order combination since the 2015 World Cup. From Ajinkya Rahane to Suresh Raina, there have been a ray of experiments by the team management but they failed to find the answer.
The selectors gave the opportunity to Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik in the middle order.
Jadhav suffered a hamstring injury in the IPL 11, after which he took several months to get fully recover. He was re-called to the team after his performance for India “A”. Manish Pandey was also awarded a place in the team after his impressive run for India “A”.
Ambati Rayudu had an illustrious IPL season this year and he was awarded a place in the Indian team for the UK tour. However, to everyone’s surprise he failed the controversial Yo Yo test after which he was ousted from the team. The selectors gave him another lifeline by selecting him for the Asia Cup 2018.
Four of these middle order batsman haven’t featured for the India ODI side in the recent time and it may be a big concern for the team management. A failure from one player will result in an opportunity for the other but it may not so India’s problems, resulting in inconsistent run from the middle order batsman.
2. In-experience to play in UAE
The Indian team last played in the Central Asian country on 19 April 2006 against Pakistan, where they won by 51 runs. Its been 12 long years since the men in blue stepped on to play a cricket match. This can be a matter of concern as the Indian team will not be aware of the heat and conditions of the venue.
3. Problems of facing left arm seamers
Indian batting have been exposed to left arm pacers, especially Mustafiqur Rahman and Mohammad Amir. Rohit Sharma, who will be the key for India in the absence of Virat Kohli and a low-lying Shikhar Dhawan has failed to take on Amir in the recent times. Pakistan boast of four world class left-arm pacers.
(Please open the second page from below to read the final verdict and prediction)
