ICC World Cup 2019: 3 Key Battles From India vs Pakistan Game

The much-awaited encounter of ICC World Cup 2019 is going to take place at?Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester between India and Pakistan. The arch-rivals have met 6 times in the history of ICC World Cup where India had the upper hands. They have won all of them and surely try to maintain their winning streak in-tact.

As far as this edition’s concern, Pakistan have registered only one win against the host England whereas lost two against West Indies and Australia. However, their clash against Sri Lanka was called off due to rain like India’s last encounter against New Zealand. Though India have already won two games convincingly against South Africa and Australia.

Before the enthralling encounter, here are the key battles which are expected to take place in the match.

Virat Kohli vs Mohammad Amir

The key battles start with India captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s pace spearhead Mohammad Amir. Both are arguably the finest players for their respective sides. We all know Kohli is a fine chase master and loves playing under pressure. He has won many matches for India in critical situations while batting at number 3 and it is expected that he will deliver another match-winning knock against Pakistan.

But it wouldn’t be a smooth run for Virat Kohli as the opponent has Mohammad Amir. One of the key players of Pakistan, who bagged his maiden 5-wicket haul against Australia in the ongoing tournament. Earlier, he was not featured in Pakistan’s World Cup squad, he was included in the squad last minute and proved his selection worthy. He is currently the third in the list of wicket-takers in the ongoing tournament, having 10 scalps in his name.

If anyone can restrict Kohli, the ‘run-machine’, it’s definitely Amir who exactly knows how to trouble Kohli. After all, who can forget the final of 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final? Keeping the old rivalry in mind, this is going to be one highlighted key battle of this encounter.

Rohit Sharma vs Wahab Riaz

Rohit Sharma has been in a formidable form in the ongoing ICC World Cup where he has already scored a hundred and a fifty. As Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out due to injury, more responsibility will be there on him to give a flying start to his team as well as to anchor the innings.

On the other hand, it’s Wahab Riaz who has become a trouble for his opponents. He has already shown his calibre with the ball against England where he bagged 3 wickets. He knows Rohit Sharma’s weakness and he will try to target the off stump and get the swing onto the ball as well which he is capable of generating. Rohit, on the other hand, struggles a bit while bowlers bowl outside his off stump and he has dismissed a couple of times in this way.

With Virat Kohli and Mohammad Amir, this battle is going to be another one to look out for.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Babar Azam

Jasprit Bumrah is giving nightmares to his opponents in the ongoing ICC World Cup who came to the tournament being the number one ODI bowler in ICC ranking. He is one of those bowlers who are capable of taking wickets early in the innings. Even, Kohli used him whenever he needs wicket and he will use this idea in today’s game as well against Babar Azam who has been in a good form and has the ability to score big.

Azam can hold the top and middle order of Pakistan and if he departs early, it will be difficult for Pakistan to put up a good score as well as to chase them. Be it the inswinger, outswinger, yorkers or slower ones, Jasprit Bumrah has everything in his kitty. It will be interesting to see the battle in the game.