ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Can India maintain their unbeaten run against Pakistan?

On June 13, Virat Kohli-led India and Kane Williamson-led New Zealand were supposed to face each other in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 encounter. However, the match was called out without a ball being bowled due to heavy showers at Trent Bridge stadium.

Accordingly, the most anticipated Cricket World Cup 2019 match is all set to take place on June 16 as India will lock horns with Pakistan at Old Trafford, Manchester. The two Asian teams have been arch-rivals in the Cricket World Cup since the inception of the tournament and every time, the two teams face each other, the fans too get invested in the match with much enthusiasm.

So prior to the match, let us take a look at what Virat Kohli & Co. need to do to ensure an assured win over Pakistan: 

The Mohammad Amir and Virat Kohli Battle

Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz are leading the Pakistani pace attack and so far, they have been lethal for the opponents. Earlier this week, Amir claimed a five-for against Australia and restricted them to 307 despite a ferocious start from openers David Warner and Aaron Finch.

Similarly, the left-arm pacer can ruin India's plan to remain unbeaten in the Cricket World Cup matches against Pakistan as he has spelled trouble for the Indian top-order ever since his return from the five-year ban. Earlier, in the Champions Trophy 2017 final, Mohammad Amir bowled a phenomenal spell and had destroyed India's dream of winning the trophy as he dismissed Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli to help Pakistan win by 180 runs.

Therefore, it is vital that Virat Kohli, the strongest batsman for the Indian side must play calmly and lead his side against Amir's pace attack. Kohli must ensure to not nudge the balls outside off stump while the ball is new and look to stay till the shine of the ball wears out.

Dinesh Karthik's role

After Dhawan had taken a hit on his left thumb while trying to play a bouncer from Australian bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile, he was replaced by wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik. Karthik was included in the Playing XI against New Zealand but was unable to play as the match was called off due to rains. 

Now if Karthik plays at Old Trafford, Manchester, it would benefit India for two reasons: 

• India can use Dinesh Karthik at any batting position. The keeper-batsman has been flexible in playing at any position and therefore, it assists India in devising effective strategies with various options. If Karthik bats at No.4, India will receive a much necessary stable batsman who can rotate the strike and go all guns out whenever necessary. He has also shown the ability to play as a finisher for India.
  
  
• Secondly, Karthik comes with a lot of experience to offer as he has played numerous domestic and international matches. This gives him an upper hand while playing high-voltage matches like India-Pakistan where the pressure is immense throughout the entire match. He has also shown temperament while chasing difficult targets and proved to be a definite match-winner for his side. After all, who can forget his game-changing 29 runs off eight deliveries in the Nidahas Trophy Final!

India-Pakistan matches are always nail-biting clashes and similarly, on June 16 at Old Trafford, Manchester, the two sides will fight for a win in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 encounter. However, the weather forecast seems to play the villain as there are reports that there is a strong chance for heavy rains at Old Trafford. Let us hope that we get a clear winner instead of a rain-washed match.

Till now, India has defeated Pakistan in six World Cup encounters but can Virat Kohli & Co. make the scoreline 7-0?