Asia Cup: Bumrah's fitness, Fakhar's form in spotlight

As India and Pakistan prepare for their big clash in the Asia Cup on Saturday, let's take a look at the areas the two teams have major concerns.

INDIA

Bumrah's fitness test

Making his much-anticipated return from injury, India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah looked sharp against Ireland and confirmed his well being when picking up a couple of two-wickets hauls. But that was in T20 where he was required to bowl just four overs.

This will be a different ball-game altogether and Bumrah will have to endure a higher workload. The 10 overs which he will have to see through may come in spells but it will still provide a sterner test to the one he faced in the Irish series.

Suryakumar’s struggle

A sensation in T20 cricket, Yadav has struggled with his form in ODIs where he has failed to score a single half-century since February 2022.

However, he is too valuable a player and India will be hoping that his form will turn around sooner than later. The No 4 is a pivotal slot in ODI cricket as it acts as a bridge between the openers and the middle order. This is where Yadav has excelled in T20 but with Shreyas Iyer taking over the position Yadav must now prove his worth at No 6.

PAKISTAN

Fakhar Zaman’s slump

The dashing left-handed opening batsman was in scintillating form earlier in the year where he blasted three consecutive centuries against during a one-day series against New Zealand.

But the runs have dried up since his unbeaten 180 against the Kiwis in April with his highest score in the last seven ODI match being 33 runs.

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