All eyes are glued to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 when Pakistan lock horns with India in the second semi-final on 30 March, 2011 in a sold-out Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The PM-Gilani-meets-PM-Manmohan-peace-talks aside, fans expect a heated encounter; an emotional rollercoaster of sorts, with tempers soaring on both sides of the divide.
Pakistan's supremacy over India in head-to-head encounters is there for everyone to see. In 119 One Day Internationals, Pakistan clearly holds the edge with 69 wins with 46 loses; with only four matches ending without a result.
However, as they say, cricket is by chance. In World Cup cricket, the estranged neighbours met four times where Pakistan - against all odds - failed to win even once; faltering in 1992, 1996, 1999 and the latest in 2003.
However, history would mean little in Mohali where the team that soaks under pressure would eventually bow out of the tournament.
A thorough dissection of both teams would reveal that the game would be decided, or defined, by either India's batting might or by Pakistan's bowling aggression.
The Indians have a slight advantage in the batting department as most of their top order batsmen have been amongst the runs. Yuvraj Singh holds the key for India as his track record against Pakistan has been brilliant to say the least. Singh has also been dubbed by experts as the strongest candidate for the Player of the Tournament Award – the notion propelled by the fact that Yuvraj has already won four Player of the Match Awards in this mega event.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar would love to make his 100th century in international cricket against Pakistan as he will not find a bigger stage to do so. He, along with Virender Sehwag, can turn the match in India’s favour and they would have to deliver the goods if India is to counter the strong bowling attack that Pakistan possesses.
On the flipside, Pakistan misses the same class as the Indians do in batting, but the Cornered Tigers of 1992 have developed a potent combination in the preceding months. Pakistan have some genuine match winners in their ranks – Umar Akmal and Shoaib Akhtar to name a few - who can take the game away from India.
However, it would be foolish to expect the youngsters to win it for Pakistan as they might fold under strenuous pressure. Senior statesmen Younis Khan, Mishab-Ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq have to raise their game against India if Pakistan stands any chance of clinching the trophy in Mumbai.
If India holds the edge in batting, Pakistan’s bowling reigns supreme against MS Dhoni and Co. The Men in Green proved their mettle against Australia and the West Indies; signifying that Pakistan has one of the fiercest bowling attacks in the world. As Muhammad Hafeez claimed, it's the 'strongest bowling attack in the world'. Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi are in wicket-taking form which comes as a positive sign for Pakistan.
India's bowling on the other hand remains mediocre; evident by their lack of penetration during their recent group matches in the World Cup. However, the induction of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin seems to have given them a boost as he has variety under his belt which can come in handy.
This is a mouth-watering fixture for those lucky enough to scrape the highly-prized ticket for the house-full event in Mohali, with people paying 10-times the amount to get hold of a seat. The 28,000 capacity crowd will be coupled by more than a billion people in television audiences from all around the world. So will the match live up to its expectation? Only time will tell.
Pakistan's supremacy over India in head-to-head encounters is there for everyone to see. In 119 One Day Internationals, Pakistan clearly holds the edge with 69 wins with 46 loses; with only four matches ending without a result.
However, as they say, cricket is by chance. In World Cup cricket, the estranged neighbours met four times where Pakistan - against all odds - failed to win even once; faltering in 1992, 1996, 1999 and the latest in 2003.
However, history would mean little in Mohali where the team that soaks under pressure would eventually bow out of the tournament.
A thorough dissection of both teams would reveal that the game would be decided, or defined, by either India's batting might or by Pakistan's bowling aggression.
The Indians have a slight advantage in the batting department as most of their top order batsmen have been amongst the runs. Yuvraj Singh holds the key for India as his track record against Pakistan has been brilliant to say the least. Singh has also been dubbed by experts as the strongest candidate for the Player of the Tournament Award – the notion propelled by the fact that Yuvraj has already won four Player of the Match Awards in this mega event.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar would love to make his 100th century in international cricket against Pakistan as he will not find a bigger stage to do so. He, along with Virender Sehwag, can turn the match in India’s favour and they would have to deliver the goods if India is to counter the strong bowling attack that Pakistan possesses.
On the flipside, Pakistan misses the same class as the Indians do in batting, but the Cornered Tigers of 1992 have developed a potent combination in the preceding months. Pakistan have some genuine match winners in their ranks – Umar Akmal and Shoaib Akhtar to name a few - who can take the game away from India.
However, it would be foolish to expect the youngsters to win it for Pakistan as they might fold under strenuous pressure. Senior statesmen Younis Khan, Mishab-Ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq have to raise their game against India if Pakistan stands any chance of clinching the trophy in Mumbai.
If India holds the edge in batting, Pakistan’s bowling reigns supreme against MS Dhoni and Co. The Men in Green proved their mettle against Australia and the West Indies; signifying that Pakistan has one of the fiercest bowling attacks in the world. As Muhammad Hafeez claimed, it's the 'strongest bowling attack in the world'. Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi are in wicket-taking form which comes as a positive sign for Pakistan.
India's bowling on the other hand remains mediocre; evident by their lack of penetration during their recent group matches in the World Cup. However, the induction of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin seems to have given them a boost as he has variety under his belt which can come in handy.
This is a mouth-watering fixture for those lucky enough to scrape the highly-prized ticket for the house-full event in Mohali, with people paying 10-times the amount to get hold of a seat. The 28,000 capacity crowd will be coupled by more than a billion people in television audiences from all around the world. So will the match live up to its expectation? Only time will tell.
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