R Ashwin feels Pakistan will be the side to beat in Asia Cup and consistent performances from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will make them even more dangerous in the continental event.
Under Rohit Sharma, India won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cup, runners-up position in the 2023 World Cup at home and triumphed in the the ICC Champions Trophy in March.
Prolific Pakistan batsman Babar Azam wants to achieve the "legend" status that Virat Kohli has acquired but concedes that despite the oft-repeated comparisons, he is still some time away from getting anywhere close to the Indian captain. The 24-year-old, who is a self-confessed fan of Kohli, spoke about his aspiration to emulate the World's No.1 Test and ODI batsman.
Leg-spinner Shah's selection was subject to the 35-year-old clearing a fitness test, chief selector Mohammad Wasim said in a statement.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the first opening pair in the history of T20 cricket to chase 200 or more twice.
India and Pakistan will play at least two games in the Asia Cup, and possibly a third if they feature in the final.
Pakistan's disappointing group stage exit, which included losses to India and debutants USA, has sparked widespread criticism.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to investigate a case involving a UK-based Pakistani agent, Mughiz Ahmad Shearachiikh, who has been suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for breaching its anti-corruption code. Shearachiikh and his company, International Cricketers Association (ICA), had signed several centrally contracted Pakistani players last year.
Babar Azam provided 73 in 95 deliveries with the visitors profiting from some sloppy South African fielding as they dropped numerous catches and were not accurate enough with the ball.
Rohit currently sits at fourth place in the overall list of captains with the most T20I wins.
Pakistani selectors on Thursday dropped leg-spinner Usama Mir for the T20 series in Ireland and England while recalling fast bowler Haris Rauf.
USA caused the biggest upset of the T20 World Cup when they shocked former champions Pakistan via the Super Over.
The last time Pakistan won a Test Down Under was in late 1995 when nearly half of the current side were not even born
None of New Zealand's batters were able to build on their starts
Former Pakistan cricketers and the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi came down heavily on the team management and the players, after their six-run loss to India on Sunday.
Lahore Qalandars took to Twitter and shared the pictures from Shaheen's wedding ceremony.
Razzaq said that India skipper Virat Kohli and Pakistan's Babar Azam should not be compared to each other
Pakistan cricketers floored by 'unexpected' welcome, hit nets 12 hours after arrival
Bowling has traditionally been Pakistan's strong suit but since that is unlikely to be the case in World Cup 2023.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has surpassed India's Virat Kohli in becoming the world No.1 T20I batter for the longest period of time after he maintained his top spot in the latest ICC T20 batting rankings.
Despite the win the Pakistan skipper expressed disappointment at the form shown by him and opener Mohammad Rizwan, as both the batters failed to contribute.
West Indies spinner Fabian Allen on Wednesday moved into the top 10 of the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings after featuring in his team's fine showing in the ongoing five-match series against Australia.
Images from the World Cup match between New Zealand and Pakistan, at Birmingham, on Wednesday.
'As a professional, you have to respect the umpire's decision, but we felt the ball had been grounded.'
Spinners of both sides will have a significant role to play considering that Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the only specialist pacers who will be seen in action in Sunday's match.
For South Africa, Rassie van der Dussen has advanced three slots to the sixth position, just one shy of his career-best, after scores of 34 not out and 52.
A desperate Pakistan will be wary of a competent group of Afghanistan spinners' ability to strike hard on an often-gripping Chepauk pitch when the teams meet in the World Cup match in Chennai on Monday
"In my opinion, we could chase better than this. But to win always gives you confidence. We are taking the good things forward to the next game."
Pakistan cricketers face the risk of having their central contracts reviewed
Harbhajan Singh suggested Gary Kirsten not to waste his time in Pakistan
An ICC delegation, which is due to visit Pakistan this month to ascertain the preparations for the Champions Trophy, will also discuss the tentative schedule of the event with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
India captain Rohit Sharma and his Pakistani counterpart Babar Azam said they hardly talk about cricket when they catch up.
On-field umpires Masudur Rahman and Ruchira Pilliyaguruge, third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri and fourth umpire Gazi Sohel levelled the charges.
'Pakistan can beat any team on any given day'
Babar Azam hit his maiden century while spinner Mohammad Nawaz grabbed four wickets as Pakistan thrashed the West Indies by 111 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in the first day-night international on Friday. Azam's rapid-fire 139-ball 120 helped Pakistan post a challenging 284-9 in a match reduced to 49 overs a side due to a 70-minute floodlight failure at Sharjah Stadium in the UAE. West Indies -- set 287 to win -- never got close and folded at 175 in 38.4 overs.
With this thrilling win, Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
'Pakistan will return home this week. India too will go back home after playing the semi-final as they too aren't that good.'
The squad arrived at the stadium on Thursday with six police vans part of the cavalcade. The team buses of Pakistan and New Zealand exited the stadium together.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has moved up a spot to seventh.
Pakistan players did not find any spot in ICC Team of the Decade across all formats
