The most awaited day, most awaited match in one of the spectacular ODI tournaments to happen in recent past is about to take place in few hours time. Its the mighty Team India taking on the resolute Pakistan team to setup the first all Asian final at the ICC WC 2011.
The road to semi final so far has been interesting for both the teams. Pakistan truly looking like a team and in every match one warrior lifts his game up to march the team to victory. The batting has revolved around their bowling scoring enough runs to defend or finding a way to build parterships to see the team through amidst some shocking wicket keeping.
India on the other hand were always strong in their batting but the weakness was obviously their bowling. In their journey to the semi finals the batting mysteriously found a way to confuse people and making it difficult to judge which of their disciplines being the weaker ones (Fielding doesn't even find a mention here). In the quarterfinals all their disciplines struck a fine balance (including fielding) to make India look like a team to beat. They 'as a team' are on the way up in this World Cup.
So what should we expect today. The schedule of the tournament and gaps between the matches has ensured the euphoria reaches unfathomable proportions. Its a day when everybody is trying to do what they normally would not. And that is what a clash between these arch rivals does. There are companies though staring the FY close will be facing shortage of manpower and there are companies who for once don't want their employees to work, making arrangement to collectively enjoy the match, ICC trying to asphyxiate the media by denying them accredition for the semi final, our PM trying his best to make the event another political event.
Among all other distractions the two calm captains (Dhoni and Afridi) have tried best in their own styles to play down the pressure. Mind games have begun. Teams trying to have an advantage even before a single ball being bowled. There would be 22 warriors entering the arena each being aware that becoming the 'toast of the nation' is up for grabs but at the same time a minute mistake might turn the entire nation against you.
India enjoy the comfort of playing against the home crowd but that adds to the pressure as well. Indian batting looks a different class when compared to Pakistan's. But Pakistan have the depth required in the batting to compensate for the lack of big runs from their batting outfit. Pakistan enjoy a clear advantage in the fast bowling but there is very less to differentiate between the two teams in spin bowling (Due to Afridi's form and Bhajji's lack of it). Both teams boast of that unpredictability in the field. When the teams take field anticipation would be to witness a high octane battle between the strong Indian batting and Pakistani bowling. But today's match for once would not be decided by India's batting or Pakistan's bowling but by India's bowling and Pakistan's batting!! All set for a mouth watering contest!! The cup that counts.. a day which counts...
The road to semi final so far has been interesting for both the teams. Pakistan truly looking like a team and in every match one warrior lifts his game up to march the team to victory. The batting has revolved around their bowling scoring enough runs to defend or finding a way to build parterships to see the team through amidst some shocking wicket keeping.
India on the other hand were always strong in their batting but the weakness was obviously their bowling. In their journey to the semi finals the batting mysteriously found a way to confuse people and making it difficult to judge which of their disciplines being the weaker ones (Fielding doesn't even find a mention here). In the quarterfinals all their disciplines struck a fine balance (including fielding) to make India look like a team to beat. They 'as a team' are on the way up in this World Cup.
So what should we expect today. The schedule of the tournament and gaps between the matches has ensured the euphoria reaches unfathomable proportions. Its a day when everybody is trying to do what they normally would not. And that is what a clash between these arch rivals does. There are companies though staring the FY close will be facing shortage of manpower and there are companies who for once don't want their employees to work, making arrangement to collectively enjoy the match, ICC trying to asphyxiate the media by denying them accredition for the semi final, our PM trying his best to make the event another political event.
Among all other distractions the two calm captains (Dhoni and Afridi) have tried best in their own styles to play down the pressure. Mind games have begun. Teams trying to have an advantage even before a single ball being bowled. There would be 22 warriors entering the arena each being aware that becoming the 'toast of the nation' is up for grabs but at the same time a minute mistake might turn the entire nation against you.
India enjoy the comfort of playing against the home crowd but that adds to the pressure as well. Indian batting looks a different class when compared to Pakistan's. But Pakistan have the depth required in the batting to compensate for the lack of big runs from their batting outfit. Pakistan enjoy a clear advantage in the fast bowling but there is very less to differentiate between the two teams in spin bowling (Due to Afridi's form and Bhajji's lack of it). Both teams boast of that unpredictability in the field. When the teams take field anticipation would be to witness a high octane battle between the strong Indian batting and Pakistani bowling. But today's match for once would not be decided by India's batting or Pakistan's bowling but by India's bowling and Pakistan's batting!! All set for a mouth watering contest!! The cup that counts.. a day which counts...
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Good piece Maddy, what a precise analysis of strength and weakness of both the teams. I feel, one who can handle the pressure well, will win end of the day. It would be a mental game than cricket.
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