India v Pakistan semifinal ICC World Cup 2011: Indian batsmen v Pakistani bowlers
All eyes are glued to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 where http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 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 and 46 losses; 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. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364 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 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 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’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 bowling combination in the months leading up to the World Cup. Pakistan have some genuine match winners in their ranks – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shoaib-Akhtar-c90081 and Saeed Ajmal 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 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820.
If India holds the edge in batting, Pakistan’s bowling reigns supreme against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Gul-c94604 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 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ravichandran-Ashwin-c84208 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.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writers' own and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy)
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