Ex-cricketer makes surprise inclusion as he names his playing XI for Asia Cup match vs PAK

The Indian team's 2023 Asia Cup campaign will kick up in less than a week. The Men in Blue will play Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament on September 2. In the final match of their Asia Cup 2023 group stage, India will take on Nepal as they look to get in solid form for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup. 

3 things you need to know

• Asia Cup will start on August 30, 2023, but India will face Pakistan on September 2, 2023
• Sri Lanka and Pakistan will host the Asia Cup 2023 
• Sri Lanka are the defending champions for the Asia Cup 2023

Also Read: Former chief selector picks Yuvendra Chahal in his World Cup squad, leaves out key batsman

 Sanjay Manjrekar says Tilak Varma or Shreyas Iyer could comepete for the XI

Here's the Rohit Sharma-led team for the upcoming #AsiaCup2023 🙌#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/TdSyyChB0b

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 21, 2023

The highly anticipated Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan is less than a week away. Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has already unveiled his starting lineup for this historic occasion. The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium will host this game, which will rekindle the fierce rivalry between these two cricketing titans.

Due to Manjrekar's experience, he has selected a star-studded Indian XI to play Pakistan in this Asia Cup match. India announced a 17-men squad for the competition before the selection, with Rohit Sharma, the captain, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar providing the specifics at a news conference held in the nation's capital. Notably, the comebacks of well-known players like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have attracted a lot of interest and excitement from both fans and commentators.

Also Read: 'Done the right thing': Sourav Ganguly on star player's snub from India's Asia Cup squad

It has been established that Shreyas Iyer is fully healthy and prepared to play. KL Rahul's latest ailment, according to Chief Selector Agarkar, is unrelated to his prior injury. India has taken the step of sending Sanju Samson to the Asia Cup as a backup batsman in view of this circumstance.

It's interesting to note that India is still looking for a permanent No. 4 batter. Both Shreyas Iyer and the rookie Tilak Varma have been mentioned as prospective possibilities to fill this important spot in the Indian middle order, according to Sanjay Manjrekar. This choice adds an intriguing element to India's game plan as they prepare for the Asia Cup. Talking to ESPN cricinfo the former player said: 

“Either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma could play [in the middle-order]. I am saying this because in India’s first-choice side XI, the first seven (six) batters, including Hardik Pandya, are all right-handers. Somewhere, India will have to fit in a left-hander in Tilak Varma. This is a problem India has,”

Sanjay Manjrekar picks his best XI for the India vs Pakistan match 

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/ Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.