Their eyes trained on the big-ticket T20 World Cup in the Americas in June, the national selectors aren't finding it easy to pick just one among Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming Afghanistan series.
Chasing 152, Pakistan got off to a steady start as openers Rizwan and Azam took Pakistan to 35 after five overs. The two batsmen looked in great touch and eventually steered the side to a 10-run victory.
Faheem and Hasan Ali are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test (12-16 March).
India captain Rohit Sharma says he wouldn't mind playing Tests against Pakistan at a neutral venue as it would be a "great contest" against the "superb bowling line-up" of the arch-rivals.
Matthew Hayden wants India skipper Rohit Sharma to negotiate Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi's first three overs with "caution".
David Warner picked up the player of the match award for his sensational knock of 163 in Friday's 62-run World Cup win over Pakistan but he was quick to praise his opening partner Mitchell Marsh, who also scored a ton on his birthday.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.
'Pakistan can beat any team on any given day'
A Pakistani media baron, the 45-year-old is the 37th full-time chairman of the PCB.
The 21-year-old pacer who enjoyed great success in 2021 in all three formats, including the magic spell against India, said senior team-mate Shoaib Malik gave him advice before he got the wicket of KL Rahul.
A severe discord is brewing between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the players who are unhappy at not having their NOCs extended for league appearances through this month.
Shreyas Iyer's ability to negotiate spin bowling effectively makes him a crucial asset for India in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan cricket team's director Mohammed Hafeez is reportedly making a lot of players in the side "restless" and the major reason behind the simmering disquiet is his tendency to hold "long meetings and lectures".
The 22-year-old has already missed the first two games against Australia and Afghanistan but there is a high chance of him making it to the playing XI for the marquee clash against the arch-rivals.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against Pakistan on Sunday?
Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has tested positive for COVID-19 and he will not depart for Lahore with his side later on Wednesday evening.
Ramiz Raja points out Pakistan's tactical blunder during Super Over against USA
Khurrum Shahzad was one of the few success stories for Pakistan in the first Test against Australia in Perth.
Babar Azam announced that he will be stepping down as the white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is likely to take his place
Pakistani selectors on Thursday dropped leg-spinner Usama Mir for the T20 series in Ireland and England while recalling fast bowler Haris Rauf.
Slamming the move of breaking the worldwide famous opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan following the team's loss in the T20I series against New Zealand, former Pakistan cricketer and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja asked the selectors what benefit they gained out of it.
'Unbelievable. If you want controversy, please tell me before so I can answer accordingly'
Sarfaraz, Imad Wasim dropped from Pakistan white-ball squad vs Australia.
Finn Allen equalled the world record for most sixes in a T20 International as he smashed 16 sixes to propel New Zealand to a thumping 45-run victory against Pakistan in the third T20 International.
Pakistan have won their first two World Cup matches but the lack of depth in the bowling is a concern
"Naseem has been diagnosed as having pneumonia and the medical panel is now monitoring him. They will decide about his future participation in matches and accompanying the team to New Zealand."
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya hit fifties to rally India in the rain-hit Asia Cup match in Pallekele on Saturday.
Rohit's men start overwhelming favourites but Shaheen, rain pose threat
Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka to overcome a top-order collapse and reach 242-6 on Day one
Team Director Mickey Arthur accepted that Pakistan's batters lacked aggression against India during their first defeat in three matches at the ICC World Cup.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed dramatically throughout the fourth day with 14 wickets falling before Roach stroked the winning runs through the covers.
Young Ishan Kishan along with Hardik Pandya pulled the Indian team out of a tough situation to register a record stand against Pakistan during their Asia Cup encounter on Saturday.
But just like everyone wants a slice of '92 from Babar's team, the core of this current English team also has a date with history
At the moment, Pakistan's World Cup campaign is stuck against a huge boulder primarily because of their bowlers' inability to fire as a unit, the latest setback being a 62-run defeat against Australia in Bengaluru.
Naqvi previously mentioned that a "major surgery" was required in the team after Pakistan's defeat to India
Pakistani bowlers failed to put pressure on the hosts and failed to pick wickets.
White-ball specialist Rauf will return to Pakistan colours after incurring the wrath of the nation's cricket board for opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Australia.
England will hope that the likes of Joe Root, Harry brook and skipper Jos Buttler also get some runs and end their a disastrous World Cup campaign on a high.
The role of outside elements including agents of players and some former players who ran social media campaigns also have not helped ease the simmering tensions in the team.
Pujara batted with an attacking intent, completing his three-figure mark in 133 balls with 13 boundaries and two sixes.
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