Published: Feb 26, 2016, 03:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 27, 2016, 05:10 PM (IST)
There are plenty of rivalries which take place in the world of competitive sports, ranging from football, tennis, chess, basketball, baseball or even darts for that matter but there is no bigger rivalry in the game of cricket than India and Pakistan(well the English and Australia may say ‘The Ashes ‘) but well all know which supersedes whom.  Come February 27th both these team will clash against each other in match No.4 of the round-robin stage of Asia Cup Twenty20 (T20) 2016 at Mirpur, Dhaka.  India and Pakistan last played against each other in the last year’s ICC World Cup 2015, which India came out victorious. Both teams will look to upstage one another heading into the World T20 clash next month, Vishal Mehra takes a keen look at the prevailing battles that both teams will need to win, if they want to gain the much desired psychological advantage. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup T20 2016, Match 4 at Dhaka
Rohit Sharma vs Wahab Riaz: Rohit Sharma heading into the Asia Cup has been in red-hot form amassing runs at will in the last couple of series against Australia and Sri Lanka. Rohit has been every bowler’s nightmare when it comes to dismissing him. In the last match against Bangladesh Rohit showed his composed self, making 83 crucial runs, (not his aggressive best). Wahab Riaz on the other hand has been in the best Pakistani bowler since a year, heading into the tournament. Riaz bowled his heart-out in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) picking 15 wickets in nine matches for Peshawar Zalmi. Riaz is more likely to exploit Rohit’s inability to bat well against incoming deliveries early –on.
Rohit Sharma’s mind boggling 264 against Sri LankaÂ
Virat Kohli vs Mohammad Aamer: Â With Virat Kohli welcomed Mohammad Aamer back onto the international stage but it will surely be a heated affair between both the players when they come face-to-face. Kohli has by far been the most important batsman for India in their matches against Pakistan, and Aamer will know that his wicket will be the fulcrum for them. Aamer since his return has participated in the PSL and will be eager to perform on a global stage again to prove that he has still got it.
Re-live Mohammad Aamer’s hat-trick in PSL
Ashish Nehra vs Sharjeel Khan: India’s come-back man Ashish Nehra, has more or less has taken upon himself as the team’s leading fast bowler, coming in the early overs and also at death bowling. With him the pressure on youngsters such as  Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya has gone done, which has only benefited the team. Pakistan last minute entry Sharjeel Khan as been a revelation for them in the PSL , accumulating 299 runs , third –highest of the tournament . He also has the only century of the PSL to his name (117 off 62 balls). Given the fact he has faced bowlers like Shaun Tait, Wahab Riaz he will find it easier to play Nehra’s pace and left handed angle with much comfort.
Sharjeel Khan’s century
Yuvraj Singh vs Mohammad Sami: This surely brings back of lot of nostalgic moments as both Yuvraj and Sami played in the mid 2000’s and created some memorable moments for fans to relive. Yuvraj, who is playing in what could be final appearance in the Asia Cup will look to re-kindle old days against Sami and help his team post a commanding score. Sami, on the other hand has been the most effective bowler in the death in the PSL. Sami’s haul of 5 for 8 against Karachi Kings is surely one the most attractive bowling performance in recent T20 cricket.
Yuvraj Singh gives his wicket away to Mohammad Sami during India’s tour of Pakistan in 2003-04
Jasprit Bumrah vs Umar Akmal:  Jasprit Bumrah has been on the upward spiral since making his debut against Australia, leading India to match-winning situations. Bumrah’s unorthodox action along with his pace has rattled many a batsmen so far. Pakistan’s Umar Akmal who as always seen as dynamic batsman has finally come to a stage where he is consistently scoring runs (quick runs). Akmal was the highest run getting in PSL making 335 in seven matches. Not impressive? His strike rate was 157.27, which was way beyond the second placed 152. With Akmal and Bumrah in remarkable forms for their respective teams the battle for the final over supremacy is surely to heat up.
Jasprit Bumrah’s career wickets so far
These are just few of the key battles that either teams must win in order stake claim in the road to Asia Cup T20 glory or may be just ignite fire inside to make it to the finals and then muscle it out against each other to claim stay on the trophy once again.
(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, who enjoys his weekly dose of anime, and plays cricket once a white moon. His twitter handle is @vishal_oxyjinn)
