Pakistan will be looking to avenge the defeat to the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup when they clash in Colombo on Tuesday.
Seldom has an India vs Pakistan clash played with such a volatile backdrop, where cricket seems inseparably knotted with off-field tension, provocative gestures, and fines slapped on both camps.
Unless a player picks up an injury in training, India's team is expected to wear the same look against a Pakistan squad that are without top stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, lending it a look of youth and experience.
When I asked UAE Skipper Muhammad Waseem why his team did not appeal for a walkover, he said his team had come to play, and that they had decided to wait as per the request from the authorities. Would any Test-playing country have waited and remained sporting enough to sacrifice their opportunity to play in the knock-out stage?
New Zealand are better organised and clinical in terms of execution and hence could start as the favourites in the first semi-final against Pakistan on Wednesday.
The ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan face their first big test of the tournament when they take on an injury-hit Sri Lankan team, which was outclassed by India in its lung-opener, in an Asia Cup league match, in Dhaka, on Wednesday.
Pakistan are missing some key players in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup but Australian captain Michael Clarke on Saturday said it would not make his team's job any easier when they take on the defending champions in a Group A match in St Lucia on Sunday.
A confident and well-adjusted India would look to capitalise on an unpredictable Pakistan during Sunday's T20 World Cup match.
India are eyeing a place in the final after three wins in as many matches, while Pakistan will look to step up their game in the Super Four match, after a scare against Afghanistan.
Pakistan trumped South Africa on Thursday to prove they remain arguably the most unpredictable team in international cricket and former all-rounder Shahid Afridi said it would be a mistake to write them off in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Big test for India, Eng; minnows likely to shake applecart
'I am happy that we are not favourites'
An outdated batting approach, dismal performance of the spinners, lack of back-up options and selection blunders have led to another early World Cup exit for the forever unpredictable Pakistan unit.
IMAGEs from the World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup match against Pakistan?
Check out the Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka teams.
Pakistan were given a mighty scare in the league encounter that they played against the spirited hosts but would still be overwhelming favourites to win the title for only the second time.
Keen to re-establish their reputation dented by the spot-fixing scandal, unpredictable Pakistan will look to launch their cricket World Cup campaign on a rousing note when they take on minnows in Hambantota on Wednesday.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting asked his bowlers to prepare for a tough outing in their Group B encounter on Saturday, saying an 'unpredictable' Pakistan could give his side the first real test in the World Cup.
Will India retain the team that won the semi-final? Should India bring back Umesh Yadav?
India get a chance to make amends for recent debacles, climb up the ODI rankings and break a 15-year jinx in the Asia Cup which takes off on Tuesday with home favourites Sri Lanka facing the ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan in the opening match.
Don't be surprised if Imran invites Modi and other South Asian leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
England have by far been the best team in the tournament.
India have to be cautious against giant slayers Bangladesh
Images from the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Pakistan in Cardiff on Wednesday.
World cricket's most intriguing rivalry will once again be renewed when India take on an unpredictable Pakistan with rehabilitated pacer Mohammad Aamir being the focus of attention in a round-robin league encounter of the Asia Cup T20 tournament, in Mirpur, on Saturday.
As the top 10 teams prepare to battle for the World T20 crown, Rajneesh Gupta breaks down each squad's T20 performance and their showing in previous editions of the event.
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