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The day that countless cricket fans across the globe have been looking forward to is upon us as India and Pakistan will lock horns in Ahmedabad as both sides seek a hat-trick of wins at the 2023 World Cup.
No other game comes with the kind of hype and anticipation that centers on this one and there are no two ways about it. Social media will be in a frenzy, fans from either side of the border will be ecstatic like never before and there's the possibility of over 100,000 fans bellowing their throats out at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday.
On the field, however, it's all down to the cricket. As cliched as it sounds, it's about what happens throughout those 100 overs that will dictate narratives outside the field.
Not that any of it concerns the ones on the park of course but in the context of the respective World Cup campaigns of India and Pakistan, this is a chance to turbocharge their quest for glory with a sustained run of momentum.
The two teams met twice at the Asia Cup last month with the first of those games washed out before India annihilated Pakistan by 228 runs across two days in the Super Four encounter.
Those are bygones though, for they will have no bearing on what transpires on Saturday.
2023 World Cup: Shubman Gill expected to boost India's chances against Pakistan
The biggest talking point ahead of this marquee 2023 World Cup clash has been the fitness of Shubman Gill, who missed the first two matches of the tournament with dengue.
Skipper Rohit Sharma stated that Gill was 99 percent fit on the eve of the match, pointing towards the prodigious opener's impending return to the XI on Saturday. Considering his love affair with Ahmedabad, it's a massive shot in the arm for the hosts aside from the fact that he has been the most prolific run-scorer in the 50-over format in 2023.
There's not a lot to choose between the two sides for this game. That again makes this duel a hard one to predict, raising hopes of another humdinger like the one they produced at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne last year.
Pakistan's own bowling attack needs Shaheen Afridi to do his bit up top and provide early inroads, with their spinners in particular struggling for rhythm and wicket-taking consistency. Should they not pick up early wickets, they could be in for trouble against a confident Indian middle order.
Speaking of which, the attention will once again fall on the man who just knows how to stand tall every time these two teams square off. Virat Kohli has written many a script that has etched his name into sporting folklore and his ability to absorb pressure, which stands second to none, lends India a massive cutting edge.
Pakistan will feel confident about their own batting. Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel have been in outstanding touch while skipper Babar Azam is bound to get into the runs soon.
But again, a deeper look tells you that India hold a slight edge. Pakistan might have chased down 345 against Sri Lanka despite Imam-ul-Haq and Babar not making a noteworthy contribution but the bowling unit they will be up against on Saturday is a different kettle of fish altogether.
Having said that, the Men in Green will be buoyed by their own chances with enough all-round options to count upon. The story is a similar one with their subcontinental rivals too though with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in their ranks.
Clearly, it's hard to pick a side, isn't it? Classic India-Pakistan. The head-to-head in ODI World Cups, as we know, is a lopsided one although if it counts for nothing today.
There's no reason why Pakistan cannot buck that trend but man for man, India just seem to have more pedigree and a greater count of players who could rise to the big occasion. Add to that the support of a vociferous crowd in Ahmedabad and you'd have to tip the scales in their favor.
Prediction: India to win Match 12 of the 2023 World Cup.
Will India continue to maintain their spotless record against Pakistan in today's 2023 World Cup clash? Have your say in the comments section below!
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