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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Titans India and Pakistan meet in decisive Asia Cup match by Ranjan Anandappa Four times champions India take on arch rivals Pakistan in a decisive Indian Oil Asia Cup phase two day-night match to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama today. India will have the distinctive advantage as they beat the Pakistanis both in the recent Test and one-day series in Pakistan. Pakistan, under newly appointed coach Bob Woolmer, will have to pull on all stoppers to emerge victorious and be in contention for the title. For one, as defending champions Pakistan will have to put behind the crushing 7-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka last Wednesday and live up to their true potential. On their day they are capable of toppling the best team in the World. Out of the seven Asia Cups held so far, India has won it four times, Sri Lanka twice and Pakistan only once. That too in 2002 when the tournament was last held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. For India, batting has been their forte with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Shewag, skipper Sourav Gangully, V. V. S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh - all capable of big scores. In comparison, Pakistan are still struggling to find their true form as a unit. Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yasir Hameed struck a half century and century respectively in their first round match against Bangladesh, but failed to make any impact against the Sri Lankans. However, when two traditional rival teams such as India and Pakistan meet it invariably brings out the best from the stars who strive to perform at their best. So, this encounter should be a compelling battle of supremacy. Pakistan can draw inspiration from the fact that they possess a world beating coach in former Kent and England player Bob Woolmer. He has with him a sophisticated technology formula which he introduced in South Africa successfully a decade ago. In effect, it will be a blend of Woolmer's influence and an abundant talent that will harness in this clash of the titans. Pakistan's problem has been their batting. Seniors Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Yohana, one time skipper and wicket-keeper Moin Khan and Abdul Razzaq, will have to strike their best form. Their bowlers Shoaib Akthar, Mohammed Sami, Shabbir Ahamed and Abdul Razzaq pushed the Sri Lankans back while defending a total of 122 runs. But to go through, it will require by far a herculean effort by their batsmen where batting it is that will figure largely. India too, has a blend of youth and experience. But it is their bowling that has been found wanting in this tournament. They have some youngsters like Irfan Pathan, Balaji, Ashish Nehra and the services of the experienced Zaheer Khan who should be fully fit for the important match and Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. But one of them needs to be thick among the wickets. If batting is India's forte, Pakistan's is their bowling where on the form book they have a slight edge. India too will need to raise their game from that defeat to hosts Sri Lanka. The crux is - India like Pakistan, has to come up with a big win to reach the final. India: Sourav Gangully (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virendra Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, V. V. S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Anil Kumble, P. Patel, Zaheeer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Irfan Pathan, L. Balaji, Harbhajan Singh. Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq, (Captain), Imran Nazir, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhanna, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan, Mohammed Sami, Shoaib Akthar, Shabbir Ahamed. Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand), Billy Doctrove (West Indies). TV Umpire: Gamini Silva (Sri Lanka). Match Referee: Mike Proctor (South Africa). |
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