3 things Pakistan need to do right to beat India in 2023 World Cup clash

Finally, after all the build-ups, discussions, and emotional rollercoasters, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan 2023 World Cup clash is set to get underway in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14.

While both teams come into the game after convincing wins in their opening two games of the tournament, history suggests Team India will be the overwhelming favorites.

Not only have the hosts been in red-hot form overall, but Rohit Sharma's men also have the edge in every possible way against their arch-rivals.

The Men in Blue have won their last four completed ODI games against Pakistan by decisive margins, including a 228-run demolition in the recent Asia Cup. Adding further salt to the wound is the fact India has never lost a game in the 50-over World Cup to Pakistan in seven meetings, dating back to their first matchup in 1992.

While history could often mean nothing, it seems to have a bearing on Pakistan's mentality with every passing World Cup clash between the sides. Furthermore, India will have most of the crowd behind them at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium.

With all odds seemingly against them, the 1992 World Cup winners have to be on their game from ball one and have sound strategies to overhaul the Indian juggernaut.

Considering that, let us look at three things Pakistan must do to upset India and register their first win in an ODI World Cup game against the arch-rivals.

#1 Stating the obvious - Pakistan must remove Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli inside the Powerplay

Shaheen Afridi's opening spell could define the India-Pakistan clash one way or the other.

It is perhaps the biggest no-brainer that Pakistan must remove Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early in their innings to stand any chance of competing against India.

Both batters are in magnificent form, with Rohit coming off a breathtaking century against Afghanistan and Kohli starting the World Cup with back-to-back half-centuries.

All the other strategies throughout the 100 possible overs will be moot points should Pakistan allow Rohit or Kohli to settle down. While dismissing the pair is easier said than done, Pakistan need to look no beyond their first meeting against India in the recent Asia Cup.

They removed the duo inside the first seven overs, resulting in Pakistan restricting India to a manageable 266 all-out. This was despite a massive 138-run fifth wicket stand between Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan.

However, in the four other meetings between the sides over the last five years, Rohit has been severe on the Pakistan attack with scores of 56, 140, 111*, and 52. This has led to India registering commanding wins on each occasion. Kohli hasn't been far behind, with a 122* and 77 in their last two meetings.

On the rare occasions when both the champion batters have fallen early, Team India has been vulnerable. Pakistan can look back to when they dismissed the dynamic duo for 0 and 5, which was the last time they defeated India in an ODI - the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Kohli has been dismissed by Pakistan's left-arm pacers several times, dating back to Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, and Mohammad Amir.

Rohit and Kohli have each been removed twice by Shaheen Afridi in white-ball cricket, making his new ball spell vital for Pakistan to have any hope of beating India.

#2 Openers must see off the new ball and lay a solid foundation

Imam-ul-Haq needs to break out of his batting slump against India.

Another must-win stretch for Pakistan will be their batting against the new ball, especially the red-hot Jasprit Bumrah. The ace pacer has displayed outstanding form in the first two games - against Australia and Afghanistan - with six wickets, including the wicket of one of the openers in both outings.

In the latest meeting between the sides, Bumrah removed Imam-ul-Haq, leading to a chain of wickets falling and Pakistan eventually being bowled out for a paltry 128.

With Pakistan finally landing a substantial knock from an opening batter in the form of Abdullah Shafique's 113 in their previous match against Sri Lanka, Imam must find his footing again.

Following an impressive start to the year with four half-centuries in seven innings, the southpaw has registered only one 50 in his last six stints. Although rare, we have seen the Indian attack wilt when the opening batters blaze away. This is evidenced by Australia reaching 78/0 in eight overs in their only win in the recent ODI series.

The Aussies also won the final ODI of the three-match series earlier this year thanks to a 68-run opening stand inside 11 overs. A solid start also puts pressure on the suspect Shardul Thakur and the spinners on an expectedly flat track at Ahmedabad.

Furthermore, even Pakistan's last win against India in ODIs in the 2017 Champions Trophy final was built on the efforts of openers Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali. Those two added a massive 128 runs in 23 overs.

Considering these factors, it is clear that Pakistan's chances of winning the game rely heavily on the powerplays of the batting and bowling innings.

#3 Pakistan should play an extra pacer for one of the spinners

Pakistan's spin duo have struggled to have an impact in the middle overs.

Aside from the on-field moves, Pakistan should also consider drafting right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim for one of the two spinners - Mohammad Nawaz or Shadab Khan.

While the duo have been in dismal form since the Asia Cup, Nawaz will likely make way for the extra seamer as Shadab is the vice-captain of the Pakistan side. The left-arm spinner had a terrible outing against Sri Lanka in the previous game, conceding 62 runs in his nine overs for one wicket.

The 29-year-old picked up only three wickets in four matches of the Asia Cup and went for 55 off his eight overs in the India game. Nawaz has lacked penetration in the middle overs this year, picking up only 11 wickets at an average of over 43.

With the Ahmedabad track more conducive to pace than spin, Wasim might be the ideal replacement for Nawaz. His ability to bowl at the death will allow Pakistan to bowl Shaheen Afridi longer with the new ball for early breakthroughs.

Pakistan also does not lose much of their batting depth, with Wasim equally capable of using the long handle, like Nawaz.