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India, who pulled off a victory against Hong Kong in a close encounter yesterday, will be facing the ferocious Pakistan team today. Before the thrilling encounter, both the teams must have made a game plan to tackle the opposition's batting and bowling unit. However, I've listed out the five players who might make an impact in today's game, for either of the teams.
#5 Hasan Ali (Pakistan)
Pakistan's Hasan Ali might be the man standing between India and a victory versus Pakistan today. Hasan Ali has exhibited his wicket-taking abilities through his performances in ODI matches. Possessing the ability to pick up a cluster of wickets in the middle overs, Hasan Ali could be the ultimate threat to India, as India is struggling with their middle order failures in recent time.
The last time Pakistan faced India in an ODI match was in the Champions Trophy Finals, in 2017; we all know what happened in that match. Hasan Ali picked up 3 important wickets in that match, to thrash India by 180 runs and clinch the Champions Trophy, beating the defending champions India.
Excluding Pakistan's tour to New Zealand, Hasan Ali has performed excellently in all the ODI series he's been a part of. Pakistan's premier fast bowler, Hasan Ali, has bagged 70 ODI wickets at a superb average of 20.56, picking up one wicket in every 24 balls.
#4 Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah, who is expected to replace Khaleel Ahmed in today's starting XI, will have a huge role to play for India. Being India's white-ball specialist, Bumrah also has some scores to settle against Pakistan, as his no-ball in the CT17 finals cost India the match, and with it the tournament.
India's match result today heavily depends upon how Bumrah bowls. It is quite evident that Bumrah can bag numerous wickets in the powerplay overs, with the help of his accurate bowling. Moreover, his bowling in the death overs will also affect India in the match, either positively or negatively.
Although Bumrah doesn't have impressive records against Pakistan in ODIs, there exists no reason why he can't improve his numbers today.
In a short period of time, Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 64 ODI wickets at an overwhelming average of 22.50 and a fine strike rate of just 29.05; he conceded only about 4.65 runs an over in ODIs.
#3 Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
Pakistan's opener Fakhar Zaman will certainly be a huge threat to India early on in the innings. Fakhar is going through the form of his life, as he recently scored his maiden double century in ODI cricket.
Fakhar also went past Sir Viv Richards to become the fastest player to 1000 ODI runs. Tackling Fakhar Zaman would be difficult for India; however, if they don't manage to get him out quickly, he possesses the attribute of dominating the opposition bowling attack once he is set on the crease.
Courtesy to Bumrah's no-ball, Fakhar Zaman scored a match-winning century for Pakistan in Pakistan's last encounter against India. Fakhar is a good player of spin, and once he scores 30-40 runs, it would be tough for the Indian spinners to get rid of him.
#2 Kuldeep Yadav (India)
One of India's two magical leg-spinners is Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal being the other. Kuldeep Yadav could be the man hurting Pakistan with his efficient leg-spin bowling later today.
Kuldeep Yadav already has 50 ODI wickets to his name, that too in just 24 matches. He also helped India avoid a huge disappointment as Hong Kong were in a good stage to beat the ODI powerhouse India with his effective bowling.
Tackling Kuldeep Yadav would be Pakistan's first strategy to pull off a victory against India. Kuldeep Yadav, when at his best, can demolish any batting line-up and can win matches single-handedly for his team. Plus, when he is in partnership with Chahal, the duo becomes unstoppable.
Kuldeep has picked up 50 wickets in 24 matches at an impressive average of 19.42 and a strike rate of 24.3. He's pretty economical with his bowling as he concedes just 4.79 runs per over in ODIs.
#1 Usman Khan Shinwari (Pakistan)
Usman Khan will be the biggest threat for India, as Indian batsmen have never faced the fast-bowling maestro before. Indian batsmen have always been weak against left-arm bowlers and Usman Khan could be the right man for Pakistan to attack the Indian batsmen.
In just 7 ODI matches, Usman has managed to pick 18 wickets at a mind-blowing average of 10.55 and a healthy strike rate of 15. He already has a 4-fer and a 5-fer to his name in a short period of time.
If India is looking forward to beating Pakistan today, they must be prepared for Usman Khan, Pakistan's most important player in today's match.
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