The Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup continues on Sunday and for the second week in succession we have a clash between the big two in the tournament as India take on Pakistan in a key clash in the competition in Dubai.
These two met in a fairly tight match last week when India got their noses in front late on but they are both starting out on this stage of the tournament so that game last week doesn’t count for much now. Both will be eager to win here.
India
India won both of their matches in the opening group phase but I don’t think you could say they were the vintage level that we come to expect from an Indian team whenever they take the field. For probably 35 overs they were trailing Pakistan last week and they didn’t exactly put Hong Kong to the sword in their second match either. They have been doing a lot of rotating with their squad in recent times and it might just be that they have lacked a continuity that other teams have.
We know at their best India are a formidable force, especially in this format of the game, but at the minute they are relying a little too much on their middle order for a result when it comes to the batting. They have star quality at the top of the order and class generally comes to the fore in the end but it would be a real help if that victory comes here. The one good thing India have going for them is whichever bowlers they use they are getting the job done.
Pakistan
When you consider how in control they looked in that first game against India, Pakistan will have been annoyed to lose it but there was no time to dwell on anything as they had to beat Hong Kong to make it through to this stage. I don’t think beating Hong Kong was ever in question but the fact they beat them emphatically and ruthlessly will give them a lot of confidence heading into this match. Some key players had good showings in that game too which was never a bad thing.
If Pakistan are going to turn the tables on India in this match they will need to get early wickets. One of the reasons why India were able to come away with the victory last week was their ability to build a platform and although the scoreboard probably wasn’t ticking over a much as they would have wanted, because they had wickets in hand things never got out of control. If Pakistan can get the middle order in early it could make the difference.
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Team News
India will be without Ravindra Jadeja because of a knee issue which has ruled him out of the tournament. Axar Patel is his replacement in the squad and should play here. Hardik Pandya will return but Avesh Khan is a doubt.
Pakistan are going to be without quick bowler Shahnawaz Dahani who has been ruled out with what is being described as a side strain. Mohammad Hasnain is waiting in the wings as is Hasan Ali and the batting depth the latter provides could get him the nod.
Betting
Batting on this ground has suddenly become a little easier if the scores here are to be believed but I’m not convinced that trend is going to continue here. I say that because this will be a fierce contest and both sides have bowling attacks which are nicely suited to these conditions. When the two teams met last week neither of them scored 150 so I’m a little surprised that the run line for this one is as high as 322.5 here even allowing for a couple of higher scoring matches on this ground recently.
In the main this isn’t a high scoring ground, partly because of the size of it and with the heat and humidity expected in the early part of this match I’m not expecting conditions to be too easy for batting. They might get easier when the dew comes down but if the first innings doesn’t yield 160 then the over isn’t going to come in. I’m far from convinced it will yield that based on how strongly fought the meetings are between these two and how good the attacks are so I’ll play the under on that 322.5 line.
Tips
Back Under 322.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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