The most awaiting match, not limited to the world cup or any tournament, but even in bilateral series as well. Due to political tension and border situation between both neighbouring countries, the match between the teams will become more eagerly awaited match. Because of the recent issue between the countries, even though, some people don’t want the match will be played, the match is scheduled to play. But it looks rain is also involved with them, who doesn’t want the match will be played, and still it will be played, the chances are very less of playing the full 50 overs game.
The match is scheduled at Old Trafford, Manchester. Although after the 2015 World Cup, most of the English grounds were the witness of high scoring games, the Old Trafford is the exception and witnessed just once for 300 runs in an inning. It looks the original English ground.
Teams usually preferred to bat first in the ground, but since last some matches, the ground looks better while chasing the score. Out of 4 games after previous world cup, teams won 3 times while chasing, and due to the forecast and weather, tomorrow team, who will win the toss, will prefer to field first and want to chase the score, though India against Pakistan, particularly in the World Cup, team preferred to bat first after winning the toss, but it looks tomorrow the history will be changed.
Because of weather and Old Trafford pitch of course not forgetting the opponent is Pakistan, India should go for three seamers, but due to recent past, the pitch is also helpful for spinners as well, so tomorrow, it will be really tricky to choose the eleven.
India have definitely the options with go for three seamers, Shami, Bumrah and B Kumar, or India can use Pandya as the third seamer, but in any circumstances, V Shankar may helpful as 4th or 5th medium pacer. India can go for both wrist spinner, or use Jadhav as the second spinner and give rest to K Yadav. It all depends on the captain after having the look of the pitch.
India has the upper hand after having the record in their favour as India won all the 6 encounters against Pakistan in the world cup, but to continue the record India will definitely have the pressure, on the other hand, Pakistan can’t deny of having under pressure to break the record, as they defeated India in England, of course in ICC tournament but not in ICC World Cup.
India needs to tackle Pakistan’s key players like F Zaman, who showed what he can do in CT 2017, B Azam, who is backbone of the current team, M Amir, who recently got the form and looks old Amir, and don’t forget H Ali, though he’s not in good form recently, but at least the condition is definitely favouring him, and of course a couple of senior players of the team.
The teams will definitely depend on tomorrow’s condition but as per the history and current situation, the team might be,
India 11: KL Rahul, RG Sharma, V Kohli, V Shankar, MS Dhoni, K Jadhav, H Pandya, B Kumar, M Shami, Y Chahal, J Bumrah.
Pakistan 11: F Zaman, I Haq, B Azam, M Hafeez, S Ahmed, S Malik, A Ali, H Ali, W Riaz, M Amir, S Afridi.
