Arch-rivals India and Pakistan meet in a blockbuster conflict on the World Cup on Saturday.
AFP Sport takes a have a look at 4 key battles that would determine the eagerly-awaited contest on the world´s greatest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rohit v Shaheen
India skipper Rohit Sharma has struggled in opposition to Shaheen Shah Afridi´s left-arm tempo within the few outings the 2 groups have had in latest occasions.
Shaheen rattled Rohit´s off stump of their first Asia Cup match in Pallekele final month when the opener´s lack of footwork noticed him bowled for 11.
The duel started on the T20 World Cup in 2021 when Shaheen trapped Rohit lbw for a duck within the first over in Dubai along with his tempo and swing.
However Rohit got here again ready when the rivals subsequent met in Colombo and remained cautious in opposition to the short regardless of hitting a six off his first over.
Kohli v Rauf
The stakes had been excessive when Virat Kohli got here up in opposition to Haris Rauf in a difficult chase on the T20 World Cup in Melbourne final 12 months.
India wanted 31 off the final 18 balls whereas chasing 160 when Kohli held his nerve to smash Rauf for 2 sixes to convey the home down at a packed MCG.
The primary was a size ball which Kohli dispatched straight down the bottom and he flicked the subsequent to over fine-leg en path to victory.
Kohli later mentioned the sixes had been “instinctive”, but it surely started an ideal battle with the Pakistan fast which awaits one other showdown in Ahmedabad.
Azam v Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah skilled the Pakistan captain´s capacity on the 2021 T20 World Cup within the United Arab Emirates.
Azam took on the Indian assault together with Bumrah, a yorker king, with ease as he and Mohammad Rizwan steered the crew to a 10-wicket victory in Dubai.
However two years later Bumrah and firm appeared to have learnt their classes once they bowled out Pakistan for 128 in a crushing 228-run win in an Asia Cup Tremendous 4 conflict.
Bumrah beat the bat of Azam on a number of events in Colombo earlier than Hardik Pandya acquired the prized wicket.
Iftikhar v Kuldeep
Iftikhar Ahmed is a middle-order batsman who can play anchor or go after the bowling with equal ease however on the Asia Cup final month, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav minimize quick the batsman´s knock, taking a wise catch off his personal bowling.
Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, claimed 5-25 in that recreation as India claimed a 228-run win.
Iftikhar´s activity on Saturday will likely be to sort out the spinners within the center overs and in addition speed up the scoring.