The excitement is in the air. After all, it is India vs Pakistan time! The two arch-rivals will go head to head at the Dubai International Stadium - the same venue where the Men in Green had handed India an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat in their T20 World Cup face-off last year.
However, a lot has changed since that match. While India have played almost thrice as many T20Is as Pakistan post the T20 World Cup, they have a new captain and coaching staff and are clearly heading into this match with better preparation. Having said that, Pakistan too have an in-form top-order and will want to make a statement that their dominant win over India was not an aberration but a testimony to the quality that they possess.
Before the fixture commences, here is a look at some statistics and predictions for the match.
1. Toss Prediction
In their last 3 T20Is, Pakistan have won just 1 toss. By contrast, India won 2 tosses in their last 3 T20Is. So based on this recent record, India is predicted to win the toss. Moreover, with statistics favouring the team batting second, India should elect to bowl first.
2. Win Possibility
The head-to-head record shows India's dominance over Pakistan in this format. The two sides have faced each other a total of 9 times and while India won 7 games (including the Bowl Out victory in the 2007 World T20), 2 matches have gone Pakistan's way. So going by this stat and the fact that India have had more matches under their belt since the last T20 World Cup, predicting India to win this contest.
3. Team of the Day
The Team of the Day for this match in Dubai is India. They have dominated this rivalry, especially in T20Is and with no left-arm pacer in Pakistan's bowling attack this time around, the advantage is even more firmly in favour of India.
4. Powerplay Score and average first innings total
India's average powerplay score in their last 3 T20Is was 58. Meanwhile, Pakistan's mean powerplay score in their last 3 T20Is is 55.33. So both teams are expected to score in the range of 45-60 in the first six overs. Meanwhile, the average first innings score at this venue in the last 3 T20Is before the Asia Cup opener is 160.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the author’s point of view. They neither reflect the opinion of SportsTiger nor advise anyone to make any prediction based on this. SportsTiger does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.
