 So far both teams registered a comprehensive win against the minnows Hong Kong in their first game of Asia Cup. Last time when these two team mate was in final of Kitply cup which surprisingly India lost by 25 runs. However by seeing at the form of Indians it is very tough ask for the Pakistanis to outplay the Indians in their second game of Asia Cup which will be played at national Stadium Karachi. Recently both teams have faced each other quite frequently since 2006 and India manages to beat Pakistan on nine occasions out of 14 matches they played since 2006. Indian team looks much stronger than Pakistanis on paper both in batting as well as bowling department. As we have seen the game against Hong Kong where Pakistanis batsman struggle to get going and at one stage they were struggling at 161/7. Pitch Report The Pitch at National Stadium Karachi is always provide a superb wickets with full of runs. As we have seen in the last two games played here that as the game progresses pitch provide helps for the spinners so it will be no surprise if both team allow there spinners to bowl more often than their pace bowlers. Stats and trivia Pakistan has lost to India only once in Asia Cup of five matches played between them. On three occasions Pakistan came out as winner while one game was washed out. So far India have played four matches at Karachi wining three of them while loosing one which was way back in 1983. Player to Watch Salman Butt: He was dismissed on third ball of innings against Hong Kong for duck but his impressive record against the Indians tells what he is capable of when it matters most. Butt averages 52.93 against the Indians. Two Dashing Openers Gambhir and Sehwag: Both players has given their team a solid and brisk start and if they continued to play in same fashion then it will be night mare for Pakistanis opening bowlers. Team News Yuvraj Singh who was rested during the game against Hong Kong is expected to get a game against the Pakistanis because of his formidable records against the home team. He average 48.58 against Pakistan. If Yuvraj Singh will play then Rohit Sharma have to make a way for his voice captain. Rest of the team will be same. On the other hand Pakistan may opt for same XI that played against minnows Hong Kong. Likely Playing XI for both the teams (Match will start from 15:30 PM India time) India: V.Sehwag, G.Gambhir, Y.Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain), S.Raina, R.Uthappa, Y.Pathan, P.Kumar, P.Chawla, R.P.Singh, M.Gony. Pakistan: S.Afridi, S. Butt, Younis Khan, Md. Yusuf, Misbah-Ul-Haq, S. Mallik (Captain), F.Alam, S. Ahmed (WK), I.Anjumum, U.Gul, S.Tanveer. |
