Cricket is a glorious game of uncertainties and that’s why it is not easy to predict the outcome of any game, especially if it is being played between India and Pakistan.
If India is a power house of batting in world cricket, Pakistan is better equipped in fast bowling department. In that I feel if Shoaib is fully fit, he is our main weapon alongwith Umar Gul. Shoaib is easily the quickest pacer among the two teams plus his ‘big match’ experience can be vital for Pakistan.
On paper India looks a better side but things can change rapidly in one-day cricket and one good innings or a fine spell of bowling can suddenly turn the game on its head. Thankfully, Pakistan possess some match-winners in its line-up who are perfectly capable of pulling off something like that at anytime.
On the face of it, India appears to be better equipped at handling our spin trio of Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez and Saeed Ajmal. A bevy of left-handers in their ranks such as Yuvraj Sigh, Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina are can handle Afridi’s overs but may struggle against Hafeez and Ajmal, especially if the two offies make good use of ‘Doosra’.
India has a world class opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag wickets and Pakistan should look to go past them quickly to dent India’s hopes of putting up a huge total.
Contrary to popular belief that Indian bowling lacks variety, I would say they are fairly well-equipped. Harbhajan Singh is an effective spinner while newcomer Ashwin and Yuvraj are also finding success because the rival teams have not done their homework on them so far.
As for Pakistan, they will largely be depending on a batting line up that is a blend of youth and experience. Hafeez, Umar Akaml, Asad Shafiq are relatively young whereas Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-haq, Afridi and Abdur Razzaq are rich in experience. This really augurs well for Pakistan, I feel.
First ten overs are very important for both the teams. If India bats first then we must contain them to around 260, and if we bat first we must get 300-plus as India is fully capable of achieving big targets.
At the same time, India will be under tremendous pressure in front of their home crowd and Pakistan can take advantage of that. One must keep in mind the dew factor too which can be crucial at Mohali.
One must give full credit to skipper Shahid Afridi who has transformed the team into a fighting unit after some ten horrible months of controversies and scandals.
He should be commended for lifting the spirits of a team that was in complete disarray after the English tour last year. Pakistan were nowhere among the favourites in the Cup and to reach the semi-finals in such circumstances is a marvelous achievement indeed. Good Luck Pakistan.
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