Ahead of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, renowned batsman Virat Kohli was seen engaging with Haris Rauf at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy. Their interaction harks back to a memorable moment during the T20 World Cup 2022 when Virat struck two colossal sixes off Rauf in the penultimate over, propelling India toward a formidable target.
Subsequently, Rauf mentioned that only Virat could have pulled off those two sixes. For the first time since that match, the two cricketers have reunited, and a video capturing their warm greeting, accompanied by broad smiles, has become a viral sensation across various social media platforms.
Watch here:
Moment of the day.
Virat Kohli meets Haris Rauf ahead of the Asia Cup. [Star Sports] pic.twitter.com/WDnZVIo1kp
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 1, 2023
In the Asia Cup’s first match, Pakistan convincingly defeated Nepal, edging closer to the Super Four stage. Captain Babar Azam scored an impressive 151 runs, and Iftikhar Ahmed achieved his first ODI century. Consequently, the Pakistani team is brimming with confidence as they approach the clash against India.
Shaheen Shah Afridi caused significant disruption with the ball by taking two wickets in the first over of the second innings, while Shadab Khan secured four wickets. This performance places the top-ranked ODI team in an advantageous position.
The game is scheduled to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Ground
Turning to India, Shreyas Iyer is poised to make a comeback in the starting lineup. The middle-order batsman had been sidelined for a considerable period, and his return should address the long-standing issue at the number four position. However, one pressing concern remains for the team management. KL Rahul’s absence for the initial two matches necessitates Ishan Kishan’s inclusion in the playing XI.
Yet, with the availability of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, there’s uncertainty about Kishan’s batting position. If he opens, it would require a complete rearrangement of the batting order, potentially causing complications. Therefore, it is likely that the left-handed batsman will bat at number five, a role he is less accustomed to. This issue warrants immediate attention from the team management.
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