THE REALITY CHECK – The Broader Perspective: The mother of all battles, the final before the final, a blockbuster, a sub-continental party, a made-for-television encounter… call it whatever you like. It’s a massive clash under any circumstances but, in the context of a World Cup semi-final in Mohali, the coming together of India and Pakistan is one of colossal and monumental proportions.
Pakistan haven’t played in India since 2007 and the build up to today’s game is massive. It’s going to be a big occasion in Mohali today with all the political accompaniments attached to the contest with the two Prime Ministers present, the media tumult and the fans’ sky high anticipation.
It’s probably going to be the biggest ever World Cup game in history because of the magnitude, stakes and sheer significance of it. Today’s game will see the best batting side of the tournament pitted against the best bowling side of the tournament, however in the end the contest might well come down to India’s bowling against Pakistan’s batting both of whom have been good but haven’t been as convincing as the respective teams would have liked them to be.
India’s lack of competence in bowling as a unit has been glaring. No one apart from Zaheer Khan has delivered consistently. While Yuvraj Singh has done well for them as a fifth bowler but in a pressure game like today things will be different. The pitch is expected to be flat and that is where Pakistan batsmen can cash in on India’s bowling limitations.
When we talk of Pakistani batting, no one has scored a hundred so far in the tournament but they have given reasonably good combined batting displays. In today’s high pressure encounter, the seniors will have to stand up and deliver with youngsters also chipping in. Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq will hold the key and will have to bat more or less like they did against Sri Lanka in the group game.
It will also provide an opportunity to the youngsters like Umar Akmal and Asad Shafiq to seize the moment as whosoever delivers today will have his name etched in the cricketing folklore. In today’s game, strategies will come into play. You give Pakistanis a spinning pitch and they will run through the Indian batting side with their in-form spinners. However, it’s going to be a good wicket and not a turner.
A flat pitch is in the offing with good bounce and runs will be aplenty. Indians will like batting on this wicket and Pakistan will have to score in excess of 280 if they are to hold the Indians. Pakistan bowling has been really good in the tournament, but today’s game will be their biggest test against the best batting line-up in the tournament. The Indian top-order has largely thrived in the tournament.
Gautam Gambhir is the only man in the top order not to have recorded a century so far. Umar Gul has been bowling exceptionally well. He should definitely be partnered with the new ball by Shoaib Akhtar, given the “X-factor” that he brings and his proven record against India. The home side won’t be troubled by spinners and it will be the extra pace that will test them.
The conditions will be less taxing than Sri Lanka, so Shoaib can have easier time. Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Rashid Latif all have vouched for Shoaib’s inclusion. Pakistan shouldn’t opt for Mohammad Hafeez to open the bowling as the pitch will be flat. Winning the toss can be crucial and with India’s iffy bowling, Pakistan just might get enough runs to put India under pressure than the other way round.
Therefore, if Pakistan batting manages to get a good total on board, given the Indo-Pak games tensions, Pakistan might just pull it off in the end. Pakistan were in shambles in the build-up to this tournament and here they are in the semi-finals and just two games away from lifting the trophy. Pressure will be more on India.
The side holding their nerves and managing pressure will come up trumps. The game should be played in the right spirit, not only from the players’ perspective but also from the crowd’s standpoint. Form Guide & Conditions: Pakistan have never beaten India in a World Cup game but that won’t count for much. India lost the two games against Pakistan at Mohali.
In 2007, Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 322. Of all the 119 games played between the two, Pakistan have won 69 and India have won 46. The last 10 games have seen both teams winning five each. The pitch is expected to be a flat and placid one. Win the toss and bat first will be the way forward, not only because of the past record at Mohali but also because it gives the psychological edge. The weather is expected to be clear throughout the day.
Watch Out For: Shahid Afridi is the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 21 wickets, at a remarkable average of just 10. His batting hasn’t clicked thus far, but one can always expect him to come good against India. His captaincy has been most outstanding. Yuvraj Singh has been doing it both with the bat and the ball. The southpaw has scored 341 runs at 113.16 and taken 11 wickets at 24.63. Yuvraj also likes playing against Pakistan and averages 48.11 against them.
They said it: “If we don’t score a hundred and win the World Cup, then that is very good for us. If we score centuries and get knocked out of the tournament, then it’s no use,” Misbah-ul-Haq. “It will be a test of nerves. The team that manages to keep their composure will win.” Kapil Dev.
Who Wins: You never know with these two sides in the battle of nerves and pressure cooker situations, but on the back of their performances – when it mattered against Australia and Sri Lanka – Pakistan can pip India to seal a final’s berth.
Will Pakistan prevail in mother of all clashes?
