Asia Cup 2022

Scores of people have died in KP, where heavy rains have triggered devastating floods in rivers and streams that also swept away several homes near their banks. Balochistan has remained cut off from the rest of the country due to fresh rains. On Saturday, in pre-match conference, Pakistan captain Babar Azam appealed to the world to pray for and help the flood-affected people of his country.

Dravid's return will boost the morale of the team as it looks to avenge the 10-wicket defeat inflicted by Pakistan at the same venue during the ICC T20 World Cup last year. Dravid had tested positive for Covid-19 on August 23, placing his involvement during the Asia Cup in doubt.

Sunday's clash will see the resumption of the 'greatest rivalry' in the world of cricket when India and Pakistan open their Asia Cup Group A campaign. This will also be the first meeting between these two teams after facing off in the Men's T20 World Cup last year in the UAE.

After being invited to bat first, Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters and their batters looked uncomfortable in the middle for most of the innings, getting bowled out for a paltry 105 in 19.4 overs. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38 off 29), Chamika Karunaratne (31 off 38) and Danushka Gunathilaka (17 off 17) were the top-scorers for Sri Lanka.

After being invited to bat first, Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters and their batters looked uncomfortable in the middle for most of the innings. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (38 off 29), Chamika Karunaratne (31 off 38) and Danushka Gunathilaka (17 off 17) were the top-scorers for Sri Lanka. On the other hand, Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/11), Mohammad Nabi (2/14), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/24), and Naveen-ul-Haq (1/23) were the wicket-takers for Afghanistan.

At the same time, Kohli acknowledged that although he is a very mentally strong person, he was convinced during his time of reflecting during the break that he had been faking his high intensity, which he is known for in the field, during his period of a rough patch with the bat, which has resulted in him not scoring an international century since November 2019.

The last time the two sides met in the T20 World Cup in October last year, Pakistan had thrashed India by 10 wickets. With scores to settle on Sunday, the fans of the Men in Blue are brimming with enthusiasm, just like their excited Pakistani counterparts. Fans of both the teams have been present in large numbers outside the practice area for the last three days, just to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes.

Despite the ICC T20 World Cup Down Under still 50 days away, Australian cricketer and ICC Men's T20 World Cup Multicultural Ambassador Usman Khawaja said on Saturday the tickets for the match had sold out like hot cakes and 80 per cent had been bought by those living in Australia.

Now, on the verge of his return to the Indian team after a break of a month-and-a-half, Kohli has admitted that his high intensity on the ground was not coming out naturally. Despite feeling that, Kohli acknowledged that he was pushing himself to get that high intensity out on the field.

India are all set to play arch-rivals Pakistan in the second match of the 2022 Asia Cup. The two sides are set to clash for the first time since India suffered a humbling 10-wicket loss at the hands of Pakistan in October 2021, which was their first loss to their neighbours in any World Cup, thus adding more spice to the rivalry when they face off on August 28 in the Asia Cup.