Arch Rivals India And Pakistan Clash On Super Sunday

The euphoria around Sachin Tendulkar’s hundredth hundred may have not died down yet, but team India has to remind itself that it is going into an important encounter against bitter rivals Pakistan, and nothing less than a win will do.

Both teams are coming into the match with contrasting results in the previous games. Pakistan have won both their matches. In their match against Bangladesh they looked tenacious, but by holding their nerve at critical junctures in the match, they won the contest. Against Sri Lanka though, they delivered a superlative performance in all three department of the game winning emphatically. Misbah has be the rock holding the batting together with adequate help from Hafeez and Akmal. Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal have spearheaded the bowling, delivery wickets in bunches.

India on the other hand, has had mixed results. In the opening match against Sri Lanka, India looked in control for better part of the game, and finally won helped by centuries by Kohli and Gambhir. Against Bangladesh, the bowling delivered a shoddy performance in spite of Tendulkar’s hundred and Kohli’s and Raina’s effort. And it is the bowling, going into the game against Pakistan, which looks weak. Irfan Pathan had a poor game against Bangladesh after a good match against Sri Lanka. Dinda, who played in place of Vinay Kumar against Bangladesh, after the unimpressive showing, might may way for Vinay to return to the team.

If India does win the match, they will in all likelihood play Pakistan in the final unless Bangladesh upsets the applecart by beating Sri Lanka on Tuesday. On form though, Pakistan look the favourites.