India versus Pakistan is always a treat to watch for the cricket crazy fans of both the countries. An average competition between the two cricketing nations successfully manages to attract a great deal of coverage and viewership from all over the world. The rivalry between the two nations is considered to be one of the most intense and fierce rivalries in sports history.
Defeat at any cost is not acceptable by fans of both the countries. An India-Pakistan fixture holds an eminent position even in the life of those people who are not genuinely interested in the gentlemen’s game.
Political relationships between both the countries have been jeopardised by various conflicts, and these conflicts play a pivotal role in triggering emotions even if it is in the cricketing arena.
Encounter between these arch rivals is usually a high-drama affair, with aggression, sledging, intimidation and emotions running high. Fielders can be seen throwing themselves around, spear heads charging in with a will to eliminate the opponent and batsmen trying to clobber the ball out of the park.
The two sides have played a total of 119 One Day Internationals against each other, out of which India has won 46, while Pakistan has won 69. India, however, has a convincing 4-0 record over Pakistan as far as the grand showdown in the ICC World Cup is concerned.
Let’s see who emerges victorious this time around: Shahid Afridi’s underdogs or M.S Dhoni’s favourites for the mega event. India enjoys a vital competitive edge over the Men in Green because they have never lost to Pakistan in this prestigious competition.
Off the field, war of words has taken center stage. Both the skippers are aiming high and people of their countries are backing them with full zeal and zest.
India is considered to be the favourites of the tournament and as they are competing in their own backyard, but the home crowd advantage in these kinds of crunch games sometimes backfires.
Pakistan, after their convincing win over the Aussies, are focused, dedicated and determined to win against all odds. The Men in Green are the most unpredictable teams of the cricketing world and can upset any opponent at any given day.
Pakistan has a fierce pace attack, and its strength lies in its bowling. On the other hand the Men in Blue are capable of thrashing any pace attack of the world.
If India loses in India, it will be the biggest upset of this championship.
It’s going to be the calmness of M.S Dhoni tested against the aggression of Shahid Khan Afiridi at Mohali. It’s going to be Shoaib Akhtar’s breath taking speed against the swash buckling hitting of Virender Sehwag. Yuvraj Singh will also be by the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez.
The highlight of the day, however, will be the much awaited on-field exchange of emotions between the two teams. Its already being tipped the ‘final before the final’.
The two sides will lock horns on March 30, 2011, at Mohali.
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