Pakistan

“In terms of Pakistan now, they are a hard team to read. They've got so much talent, they're extremely unpredictable, but with that, they are seriously dangerous. They've got the number one ranked ODI batsman in the world Babar Azam, he's on fire and his record against us is pretty good.”

Batting all-rounder Salman Agha, too, caught a fever on the Wednesday evening practice session and is still recovering. However, Fakhar was dropped after one match, and Salman is yet to play at this World Cup.

“We have always talked about how Pakistan’s batting is their weaker link and bowling their strength. But ahead of the match against India, I feel it’s the other way around. There are a few issues with Pakistan’s bowling which started from the Asia Cup. I think they have to improve here even for the games going ahead," Waqar told JioCinema. 

Fast bowler Haris Rauf, too, lauded praised Kohli for his focus. "When I was a net bowler for India, I was bowling to Virat Kohli and it felt like he knew what the exact part of the bat was hitting the ball and where it was going, he was so focused. I have never seen that much control in anyone. That is why he is so good," said Haris Rauf ahead of the India-Pakistan match. 

What comes as a boost for Pakistan is them having an overall win-loss record over India in the format. Saturday’s match also marks the first instance of Pakistan and India playing an ODI against each other on Indian soil after a decade.

Played at the capital's Olympic Stadium, the game attracted more than 11,000 spectators. Each side squandered many goal-scoring chances. The two will meet again at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad on October 17. In September's FIFA rankings, Cambodia sits in the 177th place, while Pakistan is in the 197th spot.

Rauf was the pick of Pakistan bowlers with his 3/43, while Hasan Ali scalped two as the Babar Azam-led side bundled out the Netherlands for 205 in their run-chase of 286 run target. Putting into bat first, Pakistan were all out for 286 in 49 overs. Their innings was powered by 120 runs fourth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel. 

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, former Indian men’s team head coach, Ravi Shastri, renowned for his illustrious cricketing career and current role as a cricket commentator, shared his predictions for the World Cup semi-finalists.

Shadab, the leg-spin all-rounder, has picked just 13 wickets in 11 ODIs this year. Moreover, he didn’t have a great time in the Asia Cup last month, picking only six wickets in five matches at an average of 40.83, leading to Pakistan not taking many wickets or getting control from its spinners in middle overs.

The mixed doubles pair of Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale were also staring down the barrel after losing the first set 6-2. Bopanna had a brainwave and swapped the side of the court he was playing with his partner and they scripted a grand turnaround and won the match in the Match tie-breaker.