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Back to basics: India meet Pakistan again
India would like to put it past Pak, for points and prestige, but a loss does not mean that they are out. Statistical Survey || Pictures
This is the game that runs world cricket. An India-Pakistan clash, anywhere, is the story of any tournament, way bigger than anything else on offer.
Add to that the must-win flavour, and we have a heady concoction.
While Sunday’s game is being touted as a virtual semi-final, that is not quite the case. India would like to put it past Pakistan, both for the points and prestige but a loss does not mean that they are out of the running.
Let us do some tedious mathematics. Sri Lanka have 12 points from two matches, while India have six from one. Theoretically, both they and the hosts can reach a maximum of 18 points by winning all three games of the second round.
Pakistan, on the other hand, must beat India to stay alive. But if they manage to do that, they can still beat Bangladesh and land up with 12 points.
Also, if Pakistan beat India and Bangladesh, and India put it past Sri Lanka, there is a distinct possibility that all three teams may end up with the same number of points!
All in all, the fact remains that it is a semi-final only for Pakistan, and if a Pakistani side plays at its best, it is when they are faced with the prospect of having to pack their bags.
This promises to be a cracker of a match.
As for the strengths and weaknesses of the sides, there is really little to choose between the two teams. India have a long batting line-up but it has belied its potential so far in the tournament, while Pakistan's explosive willow-wielders imploded against Sri Lanka.
On the bowling front, both teams are again pretty evenly matched, though Pakistan may just have one specialist more than India.
India have not flattered with the bat really, and apart from Rahul Dravid and to an extent Yuvraj Singh, the others have not come to the party when really required.
Granted, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly got runs against Bangladesh, but the Bangla bowling at best can only be called pedestrian.
Pakistan too have made merry against the minnows, scoring a huge 344 against Hong Kong. But when it came to a real test, against Sri Lanka, both batting line-ups were found wanting.
India could do very well to create an opening partnership. In the three games so far, India have had opening stands of 0, 16 and 19. Of these, the first and third were against the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, and any such mistakes would disastrous, considering that India would really need for all their batsmen to fire to hold off the Pakistan attack.
As for the bowling, India would be well served if the middle overs were bowled with a bit more of passion. Even against weaker sides, the bowling seems to go off steam after making initial inroads.
Against Pakistan, if they were to get initial advantages, it would be a fatal mistake to let them off the hook.
Sourav Ganguly may still go with a three-one pace-spin combine, and the toss-up is between Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh for the lone spinner's job. With Tendulkar, Yuvraj and Virender Sehwag being able to chip in with spin, this has enabled India to field three specialist medium-pacers.
As for the seam department, with Zaheer Khan being declared fit, it would be only fair that he is played, which would mean that Ashish Nehra may have to sit out again, despite a decent bowling display against Bangladesh.
In the Pakistan camp, there are reports that Imran Farhat, who twisted his ankle, may not pass the fitness test. There are also indications that Shoaib Malik may be promoted to the opener's slot ahead of Yasir Hameed.
India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Parthiv Patel, Laxmipathy Balaji.
Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Yaseer Hameed, Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Moin Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria.
Weather: Sunday’s game should hopefully pass off well, with a cool south-westerly breeze, temperatures about 34 degree celsius and cloudy skies. There is no real threat of rain though, say informed locals.
