By Ehsan Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
Hosts and defending champions Pakistan clash with arch adversary, India, in a do-or-die Champions Trophy’s biggest tie at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23.
This is a huge match for Pakistan to salvage their pride and for millions of their supporters looking at them after their dismal opening match against New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi.
However, for achieving their goals and objectives, Muhammad Rizwan’s green shirts outfit must come up with an outstanding performance in all three areas of the game-batting, bowling and fielding.
Pakistan’s recent record against India in both 50 overs Asia Cup and World Cup is bleak.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s performance in the tri-series at home was also far from encouraging. In Champions Trophy, however, Pakistan have enjoyed slight edge over India with 3-2 record.
There was a hope of revival when Pakistan whipped South Africa in the tri-series league match.
The Proteas entered the game without a few of their star performers but the manner in which Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha notched-up amazing centuries and shared a record 260-run fourth wicket stand to engineer a comfortable victory in the do-or-die fixture gladdened many hearts.
Can they replicate their heroics against India, who possess a formidable batting line-up and equally potent bowling attack? The Indo-Pak encounters have had a history of creating additional pressures for both sides. Will it yet another nervy games and India choke against all odds? The cricket fans will get the answers on what is expected to be a thrilling Sunday for them.
While Pakistan lost heavily to New Zealand in the opening game, the Indians, in sharp contrast, made a grand start by hammering Bangladesh with fast bowler Muhammad Shami snapping up five wickets and opener Shubman Gill cracking a brilliant unbeaten century.
It was impressive display by India despite their missing their most sought-after bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Shami filled his place admirably well after returning from injury which kept him out of business for over a year.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may not be at their most fluent at the moment but both of them have the credentials to play match-winning knocks.
KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Gill are in great form and raring to go. Down the order, they have all-rounders who can be very explosive with the bat.
The spin quintet of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and new sensation Varun Chakaravarty can pose threat to Pakistan’s inconsistent batting line-up. They may field three of these five spinners in the playing eleven.
The Indians, having almost all bases covered, definitely have an edge over the hosts after having whitewashed England in the recent ODI series at home.
After losing rising opener Saim Ayub a few weeks ago, Pakistan got another big blow in the opening match when attacking opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the event due to reoccurrence of injury. Imam-ul-Haq has been included in his place. Fakhar could have been good psychological impact on the India team which is gone now.
The Pakistan batters facing criticism of experts and public after slow batting against New Zealand. Rizwan and Salman will have to accept the challenge against the Indian bowlers.
How Babar Azam bats, slow or fast, could determine the fate of the match. If he anchors Pakistan innings deep it can benefit team in building a good total if the hitters do their job around him. The Indians must be aware of the threats they face in the shape of Babar, Salman and Rizwan.
Pakistan’s fiery bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have the opportunity to make amends of their indifferent performance in the recent matches. If they can cause dents with early Indian wickets, the match can go either way.
The one area where Pakistan is disadvantaged clearly is spin bowling. With Abrar Ahmed being the only specialist spinner in the squad, they could struggle in maintaining control through part-timers.
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