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The group stage of the Asia Cup 2023 concluded with the match between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium. From Group B, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh sealed their spot, while from Group A, India and Pakistan punched their tickets to play the Super Four round. In the fifth match of the 2023 Asia Cup, India thrashed Nepal by ten wickets and became the second team in the competition to reach the next stage.
In the group round, the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan ended in a no result due to heavy rain. After qualifying for the Super Four stage, both teams are set to clash with each other on September 10. With the return of the greatest rivalry on the upcoming Super Sunday, eyes will be set on some top-notch player battles.
Here are five player battles to watch out for in the Asia Cup 2023
5. Kuldeep Yadav vs Fakhar Zaman
Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling numbers are decent against Pakistan. The 28-year-old has played four One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Men in Green and has picked up five wickets at an economy of 4.07. Of these five wickets, Fakhar Zaman has become his victim twice.
In the 2018 Asia Cup Super Four game, Kuldeep trapped the southpaw and derailed his stable innings on 31. Both players faced each other again in the 2019 World Cup. This time, Fakhar was looking confident and notched up a half-century, but high-spirited Kuldeep got the better of the opener again.
After outplaying Babar Azam, the wrist spinner got Fakhar caught at the short fine leg at the hands of Yuzvendra Chahal. Talking about the 33-year-old’s overall record against the wrist-spinner, he has scored 28 runs in 27 deliveries at a strike rate of 103.70, but the Indian spin wizard is one who had the last laugh twice.
The numbers prove that Kuldeep has an upper hand over the Pakistan opener thus far. In the upcoming game, it will be interesting to see whether Fakhar will succeed in turning the tables or if Kuldeep will continue dominating the Pakistan batter.
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