Match Analysis In Brief

KEY BETTING STATS

• India have beaten Pakistan in all seven of their previous ICC Cricket World Cup encounters – To Win the Match
• India captain Rohit Sharma has scored a record seven ICC Cricket World Cup hundreds across his career, more than any other player–batter to Score a Hundred in the Match
• Mohammad Rizwan has scored 199 runs across his two 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup innings so far, more than any other Pakistan batter – Team – Top Batter

BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For INDIA

India’s two wins so far across the Cricket World Cup have come against Australia and Afghanistan by six wickets and eight wickets respectively. Batter Virat Kohli recorded scores of 85 and 55 not out over the course of those two matches and made a half-century the last time he faced Pakistan in this competition back in 2019. Back Kohli to score 50+ runs here (2.10) via the Batter Milestones market.

Opener and skipper Rohit Sharma made history vs Afghanistan, becoming the first player ever to score seven Icc Cricket World Cup hundreds, surpassing fellow countryman Sachin Tendulkar’s record of six centuries. One of Rohit’s hundreds came against Pakistan in 2019 and a small stake in him repeating the feat in Ahmedabad (4.50) is worth considering. 

A safer bet would be backing Rohit to accumulate over 37.5 runs (1.83) via the ‘Batter Match Runs’ market and also to score over 0.5 match sixes (1.66) when taking into account that no Indian cricketer has hit more Cricket World Cup sixes than Rohit.

India openers Rohit and Ishan Kishan put up 156 for the first wicket on Wednesday, while Pakistan in contrast have only managed to record opening partnerships of 15 and 16 across their first two group games. Backing India to record a higher opening partnership (1.80) during this contest has to be favored. However, be aware that Shubman Gill could be fit enough to replace Kishan in the starting line-up, having traveled to Ahmedabad after recovering from dengue and being discharged from the hospital.

BETTING ANALYSIS/TIPS For PAKISTAN

Pakistan completed a record ICC Cricket World Cup run-chase of 345 against Sri Lanka this past Tuesday to maintain their 100% start to the tournament. Opener Abdullah Shafique was preferred ahead of Fakhar Zaman and scored 113 to surely cement his place in the team, but following scores of 15 and 12 vs Netherlands and Sri Lanka respectively, Imam ul-Haq’s position at the top of the order must now be under threat. Should Imam be given another chance, back the out-of-form opener to score under 31.5 runs (1.83) here.

Wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been Pakistan’s star-performer with the bat across the tournament so far, backing up his 68 against Netherlands with a master 131 not out to guide his side home vs Sri Lanka. A niggling back problem isn’t expected to stop him from playing and with 285 runs across his last three official ODI innings, Rizwan is well worth backing to not only score 50+ runs in this match (2.62) but also to finish as Pakistan’s top batter (4.50)

Right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf remains as consistent as ever, taking over 1.5 wickets in five of his last six official ODI appearances after recording figures of 2/64 and 3/43 so far in this World Cup. His pace serves as a crucial wicket-taking threat for Pakistan and a sensible move would be backing Rauf to pick up over 2.5 wickets (3.75) for a third Cricket World Cup match running.

CRICKET 8’S EXPERT PREDICTION

The only previous 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup fixture to be played in Ahmedabad saw New Zealand successfully chase down 283 against England for the loss of just one wicket. Based on that, you would expect a good batting surface and a high-scoring encounter between two in-form nations. However, when it comes to head-to-head matches in this marquee tournament, it is India who has always come out on top previously, beating Pakistan in seven straight ICC Cricket World Cup games and never tasting defeat. 

A sold-out crowd will make for a scorching atmosphere with huge support expected for the home side. The worry for Pakistan is whether their top-order batters can stand up to the challenge, having not faced a bowling attack of India’s class yet in this competition. Players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are good enough to mitigate the threat of the Pakistan bowlers and with the psychological edge in their favor, India should get the better of their fierce rivals for an eighth consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup match.

TIP

INDIA TO WIN (1.44)

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