The 2022<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/rishabh-pant-has-capacity-to-open-mahela-jayawardene-assesses-indias-squad-ahead-of-asia-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Asia Cup</a> is just over a fortnight away as the teams gear up to stamp their authority in the continental tournament by lifting the prestigious trophy and establishing themselves as the premier cricketing nation in the subcontinent. The six-team tournament will commence on the 27th of August with a clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, but it&#8217;s the epic coming together of arch-rivals India and Pakistan on the following day that will attract the numbers.

The last time India and Pakistan squared up against each other, the Men in Green ran out comfortable victors with 10 wickets in the group stage clash in the 2021 T20 World Cup, which became the most viewed T20I match in cricketing history. India are one of the favorites heading into the Asia Cup but will face a stiff challenge from Babar Azam&#8217;s men, who are on a tremendous run in white-ball cricket.

One of the most unpredictable fixtures in cricket will see some of the best in their game fighting for supremacy as we look at the three best Pakistani players, who will pose the greatest threat to India&#8217;s chances of victory on the day.

3. Shaheen Afridi

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-572788" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shaheen-Afridi-1.jpg" alt="Shaheen Afridi" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572788" class="wp-caption-text">Shaheen Afridi. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan&#8217;s pace bowling sensation, Shaheen Afridi, has the capability of blowing away the best of batting orders with his exceptional exploits with the new ball in hand. The 22-year-old is still in the nascent stages of his international career but has already drawn comparisons with legendary Pakistani bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

The left-arm pacer was a menace in his last encounter against the Men in Blues as he pegged back the Indian team by dismissing both the Indian openers, KL Rahul and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/those-little-efforts-from-us-is-what-will-give-us-more-results-consistently-rohit-sharma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> in his blistering opening spell. He ended up scalping three wickets as he dismissed the dangerous Indian skipper Virat Kohli in his second spell.

Afridi will be spearheading the Pakistani bowling attack in the Asia Cup and pose the greatest threat to the Indian batters, especially against the top order, who have shown signs of vulnerability against quality left-arm pace bowlers in the past.

2. Mohammad Rizwan

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-572789" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Rizwan.jpg" alt="Mohammad Rizwan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572789" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Rizwan. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Pakistan&#8217;s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan lingered around in the domestic circuit for years before establishing himself in the national team in 2019. The experienced cricketer is one of the most dependable batters, especially in the shortest format of the game.

Rizwan had a sensational 2021 where he amassed 1326 runs in 26 innings at an astonishing average of 73.66. His run tally is the highest by any batter in the format in a calendar year to date.

The 30-year-old will be a key figure in the relatively inexperienced <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/pakistan/">Pakistani </a>batting line-up when they square up against rivals India and will hope to emulate his heroics from the previous encounter in the 2021 T20 WC.

1. Babar Azam

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-577653" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Babar-Azam-1.jpg" alt="Babar Azam" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-577653" class="wp-caption-text">Babar Azam. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

Many people feared the worst for Babar Azam when he took over the reins of the national team, but the unswerving batter has proved the doubters wrong and has flourished tremendously as a batter in the leadership role.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-greatest-rivalry-is-back-rohit-sharma-babar-azam-star-in-star-sports-eye-capturing-ad-for-asia-cup-2022/">Babar </a>was the second leading run-getter in T20Is behind compatriot Mohammad Rizwan in 2021 and has shown no signs of slowing down either, as he has been the dominant force in world cricket in the last two years.

The mercurial Pakistani skipper is arguably their most important player in the big games, and the no. 1 ranked T20I batter in the world will be the biggest obstacle for the Indian bowlers in the mouthwatering clash on the 28th of August.

The 2022<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/rishabh-pant-has-capacity-to-open-mahela-jayawardene-assesses-indias-squad-ahead-of-asia-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Asia Cup</a> is just over a fortnight away as the teams gear up to stamp their authority in the continental tournament by lifting the prestigious trophy and establishing themselves as the premier cricketing nation in the subcontinent. The six-team tournament will commence on the 27th of August with a clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, but it’s the epic coming together of arch-rivals India and Pakistan on the following day that will attract the numbers.
The last time India and Pakistan squared up against each other, the Men in Green ran out comfortable victors with 10 wickets in the group stage clash in the 2021 T20 World Cup, which became the most viewed T20I match in cricketing history. India are one of the favorites heading into the Asia Cup but will face a stiff challenge from Babar Azam’s men, who are on a tremendous run in white-ball cricket.
One of the most unpredictable fixtures in cricket will see some of the best in their game fighting for supremacy as we look at the three best Pakistani players, who will pose the greatest threat to India’s chances of victory on the day.
<h3>3. Shaheen Afridi</h3>
<figure id="attachment_572788" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-572788" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-572788" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shaheen-Afridi-1.jpg" alt="Shaheen Afridi" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572788" class="wp-caption-text">Shaheen Afridi. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan’s pace bowling sensation, Shaheen Afridi, has the capability of blowing away the best of batting orders with his exceptional exploits with the new ball in hand. The 22-year-old is still in the nascent stages of his international career but has already drawn comparisons with legendary Pakistani bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
The left-arm pacer was a menace in his last encounter against the Men in Blues as he pegged back the Indian team by dismissing both the Indian openers, KL Rahul and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/those-little-efforts-from-us-is-what-will-give-us-more-results-consistently-rohit-sharma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> in his blistering opening spell. He ended up scalping three wickets as he dismissed the dangerous Indian skipper Virat Kohli in his second spell.
Afridi will be spearheading the Pakistani bowling attack in the Asia Cup and pose the greatest threat to the Indian batters, especially against the top order, who have shown signs of vulnerability against quality left-arm pace bowlers in the past.

<h3>2. Mohammad Rizwan</h3>
<figure id="attachment_572789" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-572789" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-572789" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Rizwan.jpg" alt="Mohammad Rizwan" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572789" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Rizwan. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan lingered around in the domestic circuit for years before establishing himself in the national team in 2019. The experienced cricketer is one of the most dependable batters, especially in the shortest format of the game.
Rizwan had a sensational 2021 where he amassed 1326 runs in 26 innings at an astonishing average of 73.66. His run tally is the highest by any batter in the format in a calendar year to date.&nbsp;
The 30-year-old will be a key figure in the relatively inexperienced <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/pakistan/">Pakistani </a>batting line-up when they square up against rivals India and will hope to emulate his heroics from the previous encounter in the 2021 T20 WC.

<h3>1. Babar Azam</h3>
<figure id="attachment_577653" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-577653" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-577653" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Babar-Azam-1.jpg" alt="Babar Azam" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-577653" class="wp-caption-text">Babar Azam. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Many people feared the worst for Babar Azam when he took over the reins of the national team, but the unswerving batter has proved the doubters wrong and has flourished tremendously as a batter in the leadership role.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-greatest-rivalry-is-back-rohit-sharma-babar-azam-star-in-star-sports-eye-capturing-ad-for-asia-cup-2022/">Babar </a>was the second leading run-getter in T20Is behind compatriot Mohammad Rizwan in 2021 and has shown no signs of slowing down either, as he has been the dominant force in world cricket in the last two years.
The mercurial Pakistani skipper is arguably their most important player in the big games, and the no. 1 ranked T20I batter in the world will be the biggest obstacle for the Indian bowlers in the mouthwatering clash on the 28th of August.
&nbsp;

The 2022<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/rishabh-pant-has-capacity-to-open-mahela-jayawardene-assesses-indias-squad-ahead-of-asia-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Asia Cup</a> is just over a fortnight away as the teams gear up to stamp their authority in the continental tournament by lifting the prestigious trophy and establishing themselves as the premier cricketing nation in the subcontinent. The six-team tournament will commence on the 27th of August with a clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, but it&#8217;s the epic coming together of arch-rivals India and Pakistan on the following day that will attract the numbers.
The last time India and Pakistan squared up against each other, the Men in Green ran out comfortable victors with 10 wickets in the group stage clash in the 2021 T20 World Cup, which became the most viewed T20I match in cricketing history. India are one of the favorites heading into the Asia Cup but will face a stiff challenge from Babar Azam&#8217;s men, who are on a tremendous run in white-ball cricket.
One of the most unpredictable fixtures in cricket will see some of the best in their game fighting for supremacy as we look at the three best Pakistani players, who will pose the greatest threat to India&#8217;s chances of victory on the day.
<h3>3. Shaheen Afridi</h3>
<figure id="attachment_572788" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-572788" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-572788" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shaheen-Afridi-1.jpg" alt="Shaheen Afridi" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572788" class="wp-caption-text">Shaheen Afridi. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan&#8217;s pace bowling sensation, Shaheen Afridi, has the capability of blowing away the best of batting orders with his exceptional exploits with the new ball in hand. The 22-year-old is still in the nascent stages of his international career but has already drawn comparisons with legendary Pakistani bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
The left-arm pacer was a menace in his last encounter against the Men in Blues as he pegged back the Indian team by dismissing both the Indian openers, KL Rahul and <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/those-little-efforts-from-us-is-what-will-give-us-more-results-consistently-rohit-sharma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rohit Sharma</a> in his blistering opening spell. He ended up scalping three wickets as he dismissed the dangerous Indian skipper Virat Kohli in his second spell.
Afridi will be spearheading the Pakistani bowling attack in the Asia Cup and pose the greatest threat to the Indian batters, especially against the top order, who have shown signs of vulnerability against quality left-arm pace bowlers in the past.

<h3>2. Mohammad Rizwan</h3>
<figure id="attachment_572789" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-572789" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-572789" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammad-Rizwan.jpg" alt="Mohammad Rizwan" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-572789" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammad Rizwan. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Pakistan&#8217;s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan lingered around in the domestic circuit for years before establishing himself in the national team in 2019. The experienced cricketer is one of the most dependable batters, especially in the shortest format of the game.
Rizwan had a sensational 2021 where he amassed 1326 runs in 26 innings at an astonishing average of 73.66. His run tally is the highest by any batter in the format in a calendar year to date. 
The 30-year-old will be a key figure in the relatively inexperienced <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-teams/pakistan/">Pakistani </a>batting line-up when they square up against rivals India and will hope to emulate his heroics from the previous encounter in the 2021 T20 WC.

<h3>1. Babar Azam</h3>
<figure id="attachment_577653" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-577653" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-577653" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Babar-Azam-1.jpg" alt="Babar Azam" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-577653" class="wp-caption-text">Babar Azam. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Many people feared the worst for Babar Azam when he took over the reins of the national team, but the unswerving batter has proved the doubters wrong and has flourished tremendously as a batter in the leadership role.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/the-greatest-rivalry-is-back-rohit-sharma-babar-azam-star-in-star-sports-eye-capturing-ad-for-asia-cup-2022/">Babar </a>was the second leading run-getter in T20Is behind compatriot Mohammad Rizwan in 2021 and has shown no signs of slowing down either, as he has been the dominant force in world cricket in the last two years.
The mercurial Pakistani skipper is arguably their most important player in the big games, and the no. 1 ranked T20I batter in the world will be the biggest obstacle for the Indian bowlers in the mouthwatering clash on the 28th of August.
&nbsp;

Babar Azam will hold the key for Pakistan heading into the blockbuster clash against India.

Asia Cup 2022: 3 Pakistan players who will pose a threat to the Indian team

India are one of the favorites heading into the Asia Cup but will face a stiff challenge from Babar Azam's men.