Asia Cup 2022: Munaf Patel picks his Indian playing XI for clash against Pakistan, Rishabh Pant left out

Former Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel has picked his playing XI of India for the side’s clash against Pakistan in the second match of the Asia Cup 2022. There are a few notable absentees from Munaf’s team such as Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja, while Ravi Bishnoi and Deepak Hooda have made the former pacer’s playing XI.

With Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel ruled out of the tournament due to injuries, India might have to shuffle their bowling pack. And the fans would be keen to check out the combination Rohit Sharma’s side would go with. Munaf has picked two specialist spinners Bishnoi and Yuzvendra Chahal, and two frontline pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

No place for Avesh Khan in Munaf’s playing XI

The top three in Munaf’s team are the popular top-order combination of Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. The in-form batter Suryakumar Yadav is at number four, followed by Deepak Hooda and all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Dinesh Karthik might be the choice for the wicketkeeper’s role since Pant has been omitted. Seamer Avesh Khan has been left out although he has been one of the regulars for the side lately.

My #TeamIndia for #INDvPAK in #AsiaCup2022

1,Rohit
2,Rahul
3,Virat
4,SKY
5,Hooda
6,Hardik
7,DK
8,Bhuvi
9,Arshdeep
10,Bishnoi
11,Chahal

Whats your pick#Cricket

— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) August 27, 2022

The match is set to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on August 28, Sunday. This will be the 10th meeting of India and Pakistan in T20Is and the 14th in the Asia Cup. India have a superior record in both categories, leading by 7-2 in T20Is and 8-5 in the Asia Cup. However, Pakistan have the bragging rights, winning comprehensively during their last meeting on October 24, 2021, in the T20 World Cup. They won by 10 wickets and 13 balls to spare, chasing a target of 152. 

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was given the Player of the Match for scalping the three main wickets of Rohit, Rahul and Kohli. This time, the Pakistan team will come into the tournament without their star pacer Afridi, as he has been ruled out due to a right knee ligament injury. But, as always, this fixture promises to be a mouth-watering contest