Daijiworld Media Network -Dubai
Dubai, Feb 23: Pakistan's playing XI sees a key change as Imam-ul-Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman, with captain Mohammad Rizwan winning the toss and opting to bat first against India in a high-stakes Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
This much-anticipated clash marks their first ODI meeting since the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, where India secured a dominant seven-wicket victory. A win for India, following their six-wicket triumph over Bangladesh, would put them in prime position to qualify for the semi-finals. Conversely, another defeat for defending champions Pakistan—who suffered a 60-run loss to New Zealand—could see them exit the eight-team competition early.
After winning the toss, Rizwan confirmed Imam-ul-Haq's inclusion in place of Fakhar Zaman, who is out due to an oblique injury. This marks Imam’s first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup.
"It's a good surface, and we want to make the most of batting first. Every game in an ICC event is crucial. The boys are well-acquainted with these conditions, and we have a solid record at this venue. The last game is behind us, and we are focused on moving forward," Rizwan stated.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed an unchanged squad from their win over Bangladesh. "The surface looks similar to the previous match, though it might slow down later. It's another opportunity for us to stick to our game plan. The last match tested us, and we want to keep challenging ourselves under pressure," he said.
Sunday’s match, played in front of a packed stadium, takes place on a pitch previously used twice, featuring 70m square boundaries and an 81m straight boundary.
Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain & wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.