Mohammad Amir made news when he wasn’t dropped in the first two games despite not being amongst wickets, and then made news again when he was dropped against Afghanistan for the Super 4 game to get the lanky Afridi in the final XI. But Amir is set to be back in the final XI against India as Pakistan are likely to make two changes to their team for the crucial game against India on Sunday.
The Pakistan team has decided to replace Usman Khan to get Amir back into the fold, given Shinwari’s expensive spell and Amir’s ability to keep the opposition under check, if not take wickets. There is another change in the XI with leg-spinner Shadab Khan also making a comeback after missing the last game on medical grounds with Harris Sohail forced to sit out.
Amir return after just one-match speaks about Pakistan’s inability to strike the best balance in bowling and also keeping in mind that the Pakistan left-arm bowler has had reasonable success against the Indian opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
India, meanwhile, will be sticking to its same playing XI, playing with three spinners and two fast bowlers and a Kedhar Jadhav to boost. The Dubai international stadium pitch has been traditionally good for batting under lights but remains on the slower side. The pitch is exactly the same India played against Pakistan, and though it has been frequently watered, rolled, rested and kept under covers, it is not exactly expected to be bouncy or high-scoring.
Toss will remain crucial with temperatures a degree or two cooler from the last two days but the humidity and heat will still test the players of their stamina. Despite the fact that it is the first day of the week, the India-Pakistan match is a sellout with tickets being sold out in black due to heavy demand.