IN BRIEF
Date: Pakistan vs. India will take place on Sunday 10th September 2023 at 15:00. (IST) at 15:00 (Local Time) and 10:30 (UK)
Venue: Pakistan vs. India will take place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Weather: Conditions are expected to be extremely hot throughout, but with a chance of thundery showers across the scheduled hours of play as temperatures reach highs of 27c
TV & Streaming: Viewers in India and the subcontinent can watch this match live on Star Sports channels, or stream it via the Disney+ Hotstar app. Viewers in Pakistan can watch this match live on both PTV Sports and TEN Sports or stream it through the Tapmad app and website. Viewers in India can watch this match live on Gazi TV or stream it either on Rabbithole or through the Toffee app. Viewers in Afghanistan can watch this match live on Ariana TV. Viewers in the UK can watch this match live on TNT Sports or stream it via Discovery+. Viewers in Australia can watch this match live on Fox Sports or stream it via the Foxtel or Kayo Sports app.
KEY BETTING STATS
- Pakistan have won nine of their last eleven 50-over fixtures – To Win the Match
- Haris Rauf has taken nine wickets across the 2023 Asia Cup so far, more than any other Pakistan player – Team – Top Bowler
- Shubman Gill has scored over 33.5 runs for India in three of their last four 50-over fixtures – Batter Match Runs
BETTING ANALYSIS
Pakistan made a flying start in the ‘Super Four’ stage of the 2023 Asia Cup, dispatching Bangladesh by seven wickets in Lahore. Haris Rauf topped the wickets column, picking up four overall, whilst Naseem Shah managed three in comparison. The latter has now taken three wickets in consecutive games and such consistency makes him worthy of a small stake to finish as Pakistan’s top bowler in the match. However, investors should hold off until Pakistan’s team is revealed after Naseem suffered a shoulder injury whilst in the field against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s strength with the bat lies in their top order with openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul-Haq both capable of scoring significant runs. Therefore, backing Pakistan to record an opening partnership of over 31.5 runs as they successfully did vs. the Tigers appears a smart play. Whilst captain Babar Azam scored just 16 runs against Bangladesh, his magnificent 151 vs. Nepal in the group stage was proof of how good he can be with the bat and motivation will be at an all-time high against India. Multiple markets offer good value for investors looking to capitalize on Babar, such as Team – Top Batter and Player of the Match, The latter in particular appears a shrewd avenue to go down with the Pakistan skipper a huge contender to win the award if he was to record a big individual score.
India was ruthless in their run chase against Nepal last time out and reached their adjusted DLS victory target without losing a wicket. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on an unbroken opening partnership of 147, but are in for a much tougher test against a Pakistan pace bowling attack who took three Indian wickets in the opening ten overs of their Group A fixture, which was abandoned due to rain after India had been bowled out for 266. The experience of Rohit is likely to prove vital and if anyone can counter such a strong bowling pack, it is a man who has struck 314 runs across his last four innings against Pakistan in 50-over cricket. Therefore, consider investing in Rohit to score over 33.5 match runs here. We often see India’s spinners come to the fore when needed and Ravindra Jadeja enjoyed his first bowl of the tournament against Nepal, picking up three wickets. Like Rohit, Jadeja boasts experience in bulk which is so important in such a high-pressure encounter, and backing him to finish as India’s top bowler for the second straight match may well turn out to be a wise investment. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj also took three Nepal wickets and backing him to do the same against Pakistan offers good value.
CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION
The last time these two great rivals collided in the group stage, rain curtailed what looked set to be a thrilling run-chase with Pakistan the happier of the two sides having bowled India out for just 266. Their bowlers have been the gold standard of this Asia Cup so far and if both Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah (injury permitting) show the same level of potency as they have across Pakistan’s last three matches then India face another formidable challenge. However, the threat of further bad weather makes it too much of a risk to tip a winner here. Instead, back Rauf to continue his excellent recent form with the ball and take over 1.5 wickets for a fourth consecutive game in this competition.
TIP: HARIS RAUF TO TAKE OVER 1.5 TOTAL MATCH WICKETS
