The MCG will be rocking on Sunday night as subcontinent rivals India and Pakistan clash in the first round of 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage matches.
India will go into this tournament as one of the favourites, while Pakistan are a strong chance to cause an upset on neutral territory.
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the game with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
2022 T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan Preview & Betting Tips
MCG, Melbourne, Sunday October 23rd, 7:00pm (AEDT)
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir.
Match Preview
India has produced mixed form in the T20 format recently. They beat Australia and South Africa on home soil heading into this tournament, however, failed to make the Final of the Asia Cup beforehand… a disappointing outcome. Nevertheless, the perennial powerhouse is highly fancied to take out this edition of the World Cup, alongside hosts Australia and England.
If I had to describe India’s squad in a sentence, I would say it is balanced with a strong variety of talent.
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma have garnered plenty of trust over the years to get the job done at the top of the order, while the likes of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya make-up a dynamic middle order. With the ball, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel provide three unique spin options, and the pace attack is similarly diverse. As such, India should have both the quality and adaptability required to go all the way in this World Cup.
On the other hand, Pakistan have been very competitive in T20 cricket lately. They made it to the Asia Cup Final back in September before narrowly going down 3-4 to England in a seven-match series away from home. Most recently, Pakistan came out on top in a T20I tri-series with New Zealand and Bangladesh, so they should not be underestimated here.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are as dangerous as any batsmen in the world when they get going, and they have happy memories of putting India to the sword on the way to victory in the 2021 World Cup. Shaheen Afridi strikes fear into batsmen with his searing swing bowling at the top, while Shadab Khan consistently puts the clamps on through the middle overs.
So, who wins this one?
Last year’s one-sided contest will no doubt linger in the memory of players from both sides, however, this tournament starts with a clean slate.
The teams are locked 1-1 for wins against each other this year, both of those games taking place as part of the Asia Cup.
India have the better team on paper, however, the loss of Jasprit Bumrah to injury will be a great detriment to their chances. Without Bumrah’s wicket-taking ability at the top, Pakistan may well get the jump at the start of their batting innings.
I’m expecting a close fight in this game, but India should get the job done.
NOTE: Rain could heavily influence the outcome of this game. There is an 80% chance of rain in Melbourne on Sunday night and the city has been hit with plenty of precipitation over the last few days.
Prop Bets
Yes, I have predicted that India will win this encounter, but I still reckon Pakistan will get off to a hotter start. Azam and Rizwan are an awesome opening combination, and India don’t have the same penetration at the top without Bumrah.
Highest Opening Partnership - Pakistan $1.85 (Ladbrokes)
Shaheen Afridi was the centre of the action in Pakistan’s 10-wicket win over India at the last World Cup, taking 3-31 (4) in a scintillating spell of T20 bowling. Afridi lives for the big occasion and should benefit from humid conditions that are likely to promote swing bowling.
Pakistan Most Wickets – Shaheen Afridi $3.80 (TAB)
