The blockbuster India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup 2023 clash, initially slated to be played on October 15, will now take place on October 14 amid security concerns at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will start at 2:00 PM IST. One of the biggest challenges for the Men in Blue ahead of the marquee event is finding right combinations, strengthen their middle order as uncertainty prevails over availability of their injured ODI stars KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who are on the road to recovery at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA). Meanwhile, Ex-Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz believes Babar Azam-led Pakistan is a more stable unit than India as the BCCI hasn’t been able to “work out” their combinations going into 2023 Asia Cup and subsequent 2023 ODI World Cup.

India’s campaign in 2023 Asia Cup, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, starts from August 31 onwards, without finalising their middle-order. “Pakistan has a much more settled and stable outfit for the Asia Cup and World Cup when compared to India. The Indians have still not been able to work out their final combination for these major events,” Nawaz told the media in Lahore on Friday, PTI reported.

“Captains are changing, many new players are being tried out, there are no proper combinations. I feel instead of developing the Indian side it is being destroyed,” he added.

Sarfaraz said India, hosts of ODI World Cup 2023, will be under pressure as the mega tournament will be played in their own backyard.

“They are always high expectations when you play at home and it creates more pressure. India’s plus point is they have some good senior performers.”

Shaheen Shah Afridi: Pakistan’s x-factor in big matches

Sarfaraz said Shaheen would play a big role for Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023.

“He is an extraordinary bowler and very very lethal in his first two three overs. I have rarely seen a bowler with such control over swing, seam and pace and yorkers with the new ball,” said Nawaz, who played 55 Tests for his 177 wickets.

“I am confident that Pakistan can do really well in both these events because we have a settled side and Babar Azam is leading them well. I think the selection committee has also picked a very balanced squad for the series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup.”