ICC Champions Trophy: Match 10 Preview - India vs Pakistan

The two Asian heavyweights have been in diverse paths in the ICC Champions Trophy. While, India, ticking all boxes with effortless ease, have already claimed ownership rights for the semifinals, their noisy neighbors, Pakistan, have crashed out with 2 defeats in 2 games. The green army has nothing but the much cliched ‘pride’ to play for.

However, there are no dead rubbers when it comes to the fierce India-Pakistan rivalry drenched in history. Ask any Indian fan. Ask any Pakistan fan. One can bet that both teams would be vying for nothing less than a victory. Even before the start of the tournament, Pakistan’s leader-in-waiting, Mohammad Hafeez, said it would be a special game. He also added that he could picture the electrifying moments. A huge rain threat, though, looms large over this marquee clash.

Shikhar Dhawan continues to pack a punch, dazzling the cricketing fraternity with his burgeoning talent and ice-cool temperament. It seems as if he could hit centuries even if he is blindfolded at the crease. His new opening partner, Rohit Sharma, oozing never been seen confidence, has been steady, repaying the team management’s faith in his abilities. The duo, sharing 333 runs between them, have used their feet delightfully, leaving the opposition bowlers in tatters. Dinesh Karthik, having made a few technical changes to his approach, appears a well-rounded batsman. His impressive form also augurs well for the Men in Blue. The force multipliers – Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni – can change games with their impudent stroke-play.

While Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav have troubled the batsmen upfront, they have been found wanting at the death. Death bowling has forever been India’s Achilles heel. Meanwhile, the tag team of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja has stifled the batsmen into submission, an indication that spin can sting, even in England.

Batting letting Pakistan down has been a recurrent theme in cricket, particularly in the past few years. Not even their potent bowling attack could mask their batting deficiencies. Pakistan, though, will take heart from their series victory against India at their den during the onset of 2013.

The three pronged pace attack of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz has been ably supported by spin wizard Saeed Ajmal and the canny Mohammed Hafeez.

The glorious uncertainty that is Pakistan’s batsmen have folded inside their allocated quota of 50 overs in both games. Mohammed Hafeez, Imran Fahrat, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Kamran Akmal have collectively scored only 25 runs thus far. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq has been the lone silver lining in Pakistan’s dismal batting effort.

Players to watch out:

R Jadeja: A multi-dimensional cricketer of immense value, Ravindra Jadeja has been at the forefront of India’s success in recent times. The fleet-footed Jadeja at point, along with the feline sharp Kohli at covers, shaved almost 20 runs off West Indies’ total in their previous tie.

M Irfan: The world champions have followed the standard 50 overs template of keeping wickets in hand and then exploding to perfection. The 7 feet 1 inch tall Irfan is one man who could possibly foil India’s plans.

Prediction: India will edge out arch-rivals Pakistan in a cliffhanger.

Bonus Prediction: Expect Shikhar ‘Unstoppable’ Dhawan to pile up his third successive ODI ton.