Asia Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan - 5 player battles to watch out for

4. Hardik Pandya vs Mohammad Rizwan

In the group match against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium, Hardik Pandya came to India’s rescue with his stunning knock of 87 off 90. The fierce all-rounder will look forward to continuing his excellent work in the Super Four stage. In the high-voltage match against Pakistan on Sunday, Indian fans will expect Hardik to do wonders again.

Along with the bat, Hardik’s role will be to reinforce India’s pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The 29-year-old has played five ODIs against Pakistan and has claimed five wickets in four innings at an economy of 5.31. Hardik will look to pip Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan in the upcoming match with the ball.

Both players haven’t confronted each other in the ODI format, but in T20 Internationals (T20Is), it was Hardik who emerged as a winner with the ball. In the previous Asia Cup played in the T20I format, the pacer exploited Rizwan’s weakness by pushing him towards the off-side. Taking advantage of Rizwan’s off-side frailty, Hardik dismissed him in both matches. 

Rizwan will strive to avoid throwing his wicket against Pandya as, unlike T20Is, he might get time to settle at the crease in this Asia Cup as it’s getting played in the ODI format. While Hardik, who is in great touch, will look to bring down the Pakistan player again.