The 2023 edition of Asia Cup is all set to get underway on August 30 featuring six teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal.
This continental event provides a great opportunity for the Asian sides to finalize their playing combination ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
During the tournament, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan encounter will be played in Pallekele on September 2.
With less than two weeks to go for the marquee clash, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has said that India's lack of consistency in the middle-order could backfire while also claiming that Pakistan boast a healthy middle-order unit at present.
Notably, there is uncertainty over the availability of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, both of them are currently recuperating at the NCA after undergoing back surgery and thigh surgery respectively. The two players were India’s designated No. 4 and No.5 in the 50-over format before sustaining injuries earlier this year.
In their absence, the Men in Blue experimented with their team combination in the recently held ODI series against West Indies. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson were given opportunities in the middle-order but they failed to set the stage on fire.
"We have Babar, Fakhar, Imam and Rizwan at the top, Iftikhar and Salman Ali in the middle and Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can be a bit handy down the order. In comparison, we have a better middle order than India. If Ishan Kishan plays at no. 5, fingers are crossed. No idea how will he perform there. India could also play Tilak Varma at no. 3 and bring Kohli at no. 4," Basit Ali said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
"India will face problem at no. 4, 5 and 6. They have three top-class batters in Rohit, Virat and Gill at the top. India will depend on their top three. If they perform, it will be difficult to beat India at the World Cup and the Asia Cup," he added.
India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2023 is set to be announced on Monday (August 21). It remains to be seen whether Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will find a place in the squad or not.
