World Cup 2019, India v Pakistan: 5 Pakistan Players to watch out for 

The World Cup 2019 gears up to host its most anticipated game as cricket's two biggest rivals in India and Pakistan will square off at Old Trafford in the 22nd game of the tournament on 16th June 2019.

The Men in Blue hold a massive advantage in World Cup encounters as they enjoy a 6-0 win record against their rivals and the pressure with be on Sarfaraz's men in their quest for a maiden win against India in World Cup history.

However, this time, this match will hold a major significance as Pakistan defeated India in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and will be keen to put up a similar show in the upcoming encounter.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli and his men will be eager to settle the score and defeat Pakistan in the encounter at Manchester. Here, we take a look at five Pakistan players who could pose a problem to the Indian team in their quest for victory.

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#5 Babar Azam

Babar Azam is one of Pakistan's best ODI batsmen, his average of 50.96 in ODI cricket a testament of his value addition to this Pakistan team. He exhibits poise in his batting along with controlled aggression that makes him an apt No.3 batsman.

In the five-match ODI series against England, he scored an impressive 277 runs and has continued his form into this World Cup, with 115 runs from three matches at an average of 38.33.

He will be looking to draw inspiration from Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win in 2017 and his impressive batting in the finals against India. He scored 46 (52b) and will be keen to perform well in the upcoming match. In the World Cup 2019, he has scored a 63(66) against the powerful English bowling attack and with confidence on his side, Babar will be key to put up a good score for Pakistan.

#4 Wahab Riaz

Riaz will be key for Pakistan

Wahab Riaz is an experienced left-arm pace bowler who has an ability to swing the ball both ways and at a lively pace. He came to limelight in 2011 when he replaced Shoaib Akhtar in World Cup 2011 World Cup semifinals against India.

His fiery spell of 2/54 from nine overs against Australia in the 2015 World Cup is considered a wonderful spell of fast bowling and one of the best ever in the World Cups.

One of Pakistan's best bowlers up front with the new ball and at the death, Riaz has already picked up four wickets in this World Cup and has also made some impressive contributions with the bat, playing the role of a pinch-hitter which could come to use against India.

#3 Mohammad Hafeez

Australia v Pakistan - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

Mohammad Hafeez, nicknamed the “Professor” is a key player of the Pakistani team. He is one of the best all-rounders in the world. He is a batsman who paces his innings beautifully and can accelerate the run rate as and when required. He is also an efficient off-spinner who can put breaks on the scoring rate by bowling economical spells.

In the 2011 World Cup semifinal against India, Hafeez captured the prized wicket of Gautam Gambhir to finish with figures of 1/34 from 10 overs and also contributed decently with the bat scoring 43(59) while in the Champions Trophy 2017 Finals, Hafeez scored a brilliant 57 against India.

In the ongoing World Cup 2019, he is already in great form and has already scored 146 runs in three innings, leading the run-scorers chart for Pakistan with an average of 48.67 including a 62-ball 84 against England.

#2 Fakhar Zaman

Zaman celebrates his century from the 2017 Champions Trophy

Fakhar Zaman is a stylish left-handed batsman, whose career has shaped up for the positive since he started opening the batting for Pakistan. One of Zaman's best accomplishment is undoubtedly his century in the 2017 Champions Trophy final that took the game away from India.

Zaman has 1700 runs from 39 ODI games at an average of 48.57 and a strike rate of 98.15. With a solid Indian bowling unit coming against Zaman, he will be banked to get Pakistan off to a top start and ensure that the Men in Green break the World Cup jinx against India.

With the southpaw yet to find his bearings with just 58 runs from three matches, Zaman could well look to regain his lost form against India and r-create some of the magic he created during Pakistan's 2017 CT.

#1 Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir will be the 'X-factor' for Pakistan

Mohammad Amir is one bowler who can pose a serious threat to the Indian batting line up. Amir has a strong wrist position and is rated as a great left arm bowler with the ability to swing the ball at a great pace. At the age of 17 only he helped Pakistan to win the World T20 in 2009. After a ban of 5 years, he made a strong come back at Champions Trophy 2017. In the finals, he rocked the Indian innings by claiming the wickets of the top three Indian batsmen in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli & Shikhar Dhawan.

His dream spell in the match, 3/16 from six overs, enabled Pakistan to defeat India. In World cup 2019, he is at the peak of his form and has already picked 10 wickets in three matches at an average of 12.30 and an economy of 4.73. His 5/30 against Australia in this World Cup is touted as one of the best figures in this ongoing World Cup.

With Amir enjoying some peak form and swinging the ball at a lively pace, the Indian batsmen will undoubtedly need to be vary of the threat Amir brings on to the field.