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The highly anticipated showdown between India and Pakistan, often referred to as the mother of all clashes, is finally here. These two formidable teams in world cricket, both considered giants in the Asian region, are facing off for the first time in the 2023 World Cup.
The prestigious Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad will be the venue for this marquee match on Saturday, October 14th. The entire world is eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama of this epic encounter.
India
India holds a commanding 7-0 lead over Pakistan in Cricket World Cup history, having defeated them in the previous edition in 2019 in England. The Men in Blue have also performed impressively against their arch-rivals in recent matches, including a significant victory by 228 runs during the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2023.
With two consecutive wins in the current World Cup, having defeated Australia and Afghanistan, India enters this high-stakes clash in Ahmedabad with a strong advantage.
While Shubman Gill’s availability remains uncertain due to his recovery from dengue fever, India is expected to maintain the same batting order, with Captain Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan opening the innings. The middle order is likely to remain unchanged, but there might be a change in the bowling department.
The decision for the number eight spot could be between Ravi Ashwin and Shardul Thakur. Considering the boundary dimensions and the potential behavior of the Ahmedabad pitch, India might be inclined to bring in the experienced Ashwin for this crucial match.
Pakistan
Pakistan has yet to secure a victory against India in seven encounters in this tournament. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate them, especially after their remarkable feat of chasing the highest team total in World Cup history.
Abdullah Shafique provides a solid opening option for Pakistan, while Captain Babar Azam, although yet to make a significant impact in this CWC, remains a key player. Muhammad Rizwan is the batsman to watch out for in their lineup.
Both teams’ middle orders haven’t been thoroughly tested so far, making this match a significant challenge for them.
Pakistan heavily relies on their bowling prowess. In the absence of Naseem Shah, Hasan Ali stepped up, showcasing his talent by taking four wickets against Sri Lanka. Alongside him, the duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will play a crucial role in this game.
Weather Conditions
The weather conditions in Ahmedabad is anticipated to be dry, with temperatures fluctuating between 30-35 degrees Celsius. The humidity levels are expected to hover around 50 percent. Additionally, daytime temperatures are set to reach a scorching high of 35 degrees Celsius, making it a hot and dry day for the India-Pakistan clash.
Pitch Conditions
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, popularly known as Motera, has shown a tendency to assist spinners during daytime matches. However, during night games, it becomes notably placid and highly favorable for batting due to the presence of dew.
For the much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash, a similar pitch is anticipated to be prepared, suggesting that spinners might find assistance during the day, while batting could become easier under the lights due to the dew factor. This dual nature of the pitch could make the match dynamic and challenging for both teams.
Predicted XIs
India – Rohit Sharma (captain), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan – Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf
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