The clash of egos between India and Pakistan

Betting Odds

Our Predictions

• Babar Azam has odds of 3.27 to be Pakistan's best batsman in this game.
• Virat Kohli has odds of 3.44 to be the best batsman for India.  
• Shaheen Afridi has odds of 3.25 to be the best bowler for Pakistan.
• Mohammad Siraj has odds of 3.45 to be India's best bowler  

MATCH PREVIEW     

It will be the second faceoff between archrivals Pakistan and India in the Asia Cup 2023. Earlier, the league game between the two sides had to be abandoned midway due to rain. Pakistan was in a better situation in that game. They are undefeated in the tournament and come into this game after their 7-wicket win against Bangladesh. India defeated Nepal by 10 wickets in their last league game to qualify for the Super Fours.  

Indians have done well against Pakistan and have lost only twice against them in the last seven games. Writing betting tips for this game isn't easy as the Indian team has a strong batting line-up, and they will enjoy batting on the flat surface in Colombo. Pakistanis won't let the Indians have it easy in this game, as they have the best bowling attack in the tournament. It will be as much of an ego battle as the two teams prepare for the upcoming World Cup.  

Pakistan Preview      

Babar Azam and his men will feel confident. They have played three games and dominated all three, including the one against India earlier in the month. The batting lineup has done well, and the bowlers have been in their best form. The team is on a roll, and Azam would look to ride this momentum and take a step closer to a berth in the final.  

Imam-ul-Haq scored in the last game, but the side will be concerned with the form of Fakhar Zaman. He must do well in this game. Azam has already hit a hundred and will look to add runs in the middle order with Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman in the middle order. Iftikhar Ahmed adds firepower to this line-up along with Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf in the lower middle order.   

Shaheen Afridi will look to repeat his form against India as he opens the bowling with Naseem Shah, as the Indian top-order has been shaky. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf are in good form, and the side will need tight spells in the middle overs from this pair. Faheem Ashraf, Salman, and Iftikhar Ahmed must deliver the goods as the fifth bowler, as this is one weakness for the side.  

Expected Starting XI for Pakistan     

Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf 

India Preview      

Rohit Sharma's side bounced back against Nepal after the hiccup against Pakistan in their first game. It was a good show from their batsmen and bowlers, though the skipper would expect a better show in their fielding efforts. Pakistan will be tough to beat as they come here with good performances behind them. Sharma would like his players to stick to the basics in this game.  

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill batted well in the last game with an unbeaten 147-run stand. The pair will need a good start as the Pakistani pacers will probe them. Virat Kohli has to do well in the middle order and build partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and in-form Ishan Kishan. Hardik Pandya is in good form, and he must add runs in the lower middle order with Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami.  

Jasprit Bumrah will return to the side, and he must deliver early wickets, sharing the new ball with Mohammad Shami. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav will enjoy the conditions at this venue, and they must use the turning track to their advantage. Pandya has bowled well and will look to do well in the supporting role with Mohammad Siraj.  

Expected Starting XI for India     

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan (wk), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav 

TOSS: To Bat First      

There will be pressure on both sides to perform in this game. The surface at Colombo has favored sides that have batted first. The ball can turn sharply in the second half, causing trouble for the batters. The side winning the toss won't hesitate to bat first in this game and aim for a big score.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The weather forecast doesn't look good, and we shall have a thick cloud cover over Colombo. The surface is flat, and there isn't much for the fast bowlers on this track. Batsmen can play the ball on the up, and we have seen big scores here. The side batting first shall need to aim at a score of 300 runs under these conditions. 

OUR PREDICTION      

We experienced a good rivalry between the two teams in the last game. Pakistanis have played to their strengths so far in this tournament, but their bowling attack lacks teeth beyond the three frontline fast bowlers. Indians have a strong batting line-up and two quality spinners in the side. The conditions will suit them more than the Pakistanis. We expect a close game, but the Indians have a slight edge according to cricket betting sites thanks to their depth in bowling.  

Our Prediction is for India to win.