After defeating Nepal in the first match, Pakistan will face India in a blockbuster clash in the Asia Cup 2023 encounter on Saturday (September 2). While Pakistan would have preferred to remain unchanged for the epic clash against India, Shaheen Afridi will be in focus as the left-arm pacer had some fitness issues and left the field for a while against Nepal.
Shaheen bowled just five overs and left the field facing some irony. While there is no official announcement yet regarding the 23-year-old’s absence from India’s clash, Pakistan are hoping their talisman pacer will be fit for the blockbuster clash. Pakistan have a backup option if Shaheen does not play.
Captain Babar Azam has three pacers Mohammad Wasim Jr., Usama Mir, and Faheem Ashraf. Mir and Wasim are out-out pacers, Ashraf is a batting all-rounder. The 30-year-old last played an ODI in 2021. Wasim and Usama played ODIs in 2023.
There will be no change in the Pakistan team without Shaheen. Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan looked solid batting for the Men in Green. Apart from Shaheen, Pakistan has Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Predicted Pakistan Playing XI vs IND
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen, Afridi/Mohammed Wasim, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Nawaz
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