Pakistan will be going into their final Group A match of the Asia Cup, against India on Saturday in Pallekele, reports ESPN cricinfo.
It is the second time Pakistan have opted to name their line-up a day early, a practice that is set to continue throughout the tournament. However, with rain around and significant chances of a curtailed game, the Asia Cup's official hosts retain the option of making changes up until the toss.
It is India's first game in the tournament, while victory for Pakistan will guarantee them a spot in the Super Fours as group winners. While the match against India is being held in Pallekele, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said the fact that enough of his players had spent time in Sri Lanka of late meant they had "some kind of home advantage".
"We've been here for the last two months," he said at the press conference on Friday. "We played the Tests [against Sri Lanka] here, then the LPL and then the Afghanistan series. We have decent knowledge of the conditions, and the wicket looks like a sporting one. I've found Sri Lankan conditions pretty similar to Pakistani and Indian conditions. You take time when you come in to bat, and bowl in the right channels."
With games between Pakistan and India as emotionally fraught as they come, former India head coach Ravi Shastri told ESPNcricinfo that it would be temperament - and not numbers - that would determine the winner. Of late, a number of contests between the sides have ended up as comprehensive wins for either team, with the other failing to play anywhere near their best.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
