India arrive in the final after an emphatic semi-final against Sri Lanka, bowling them out for only 45. The world champions have a star-studded squad featuring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Jasprit Bumrah. India also have the option of bringing Arshdeep Singh back into the XI after he was left out of the semi-final.
Pakistan’s route to the final was less straightforward. They defeated Bangladesh in a shortened semi-final, but their batters repeatedly gave away wickets before Abdul Samad’s 30 off 15 balls finished the chase. Their bowling attack is also relatively inexperienced, although they are expected to retain four spinners given the turn and bounce available in Nisshin.
Sahibzada Farhan will be one of Pakistan’s key players. He scored 57, 58 and 40 against India in last year’s T20 Asia Cup and has two half-centuries in four T20I innings against them, along with nine sixes, the most by a Pakistan batter against India in T20Is. Sanju Samson, meanwhile, will look to improve his record against Pakistan after managing only seven in the semi-final.
India have won the last six T20I meetings and lead the overall head-to-head 14-3. Saturday’s final therefore brings together India’s recent dominance, Pakistan’s hopes of an upset and a historic first Asian Games encounter between the neighbours.
