India vs Pakistan – 1st T20I at Bangalore – Pakistani batsmen to watch out for
Resuming the bilateral relations between the two nations, India and Pakistan are set to face each other in an action packed T20 thriller in Bangalore on December 25 2012.
Scheduled to have 2 T20Is followed by 3 ODIs, both nations will continue their rivalry (in a bilateral clash) for the first time since Pakistan’s tour to India in 2007-08. Following the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 attacks (2008) ties came to a halt between the two nations when
India refused to visit Pakistan in 2009.
Happy with the resumption of ties after 5 years, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898, is confident in his side and believes they have the ability to beat the Men in Blue. Not having played international cricket since the World T20
in Sri Lanka earlier this year, the domestic Faysal Bank T20 tournament in Pakistan gave a significant platform to gauge the performance of players ahead of the Indian tour.
Placed 6th on the ICC T20 rankings, the standings do not justice to the only team to have made it to the semi-finals in all four versions of the game (2007, 2009, 2010 & 2012). The proud champions of 2009, Pakistan are one of the most dangerous
sides, particularly in the shortest format.
Having a pool of talented players available for the selectors, the squad for the T20 series was announced with the likes of several match winning batsmen like Mohammad Hafeez, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ahmed-Shehzad-c42359.
Losing the semi final of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 World T20 to the hosts in October this year, Pakistan would look to change the disappointment into glory by defeating India away from home.
Taking the momentum forward from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 from the front to win the trophy after defeating Faisalabad Wolves in the final. Having a perfect tournament, Shehzad was also
re-called to the national side following his impressive domestic performances. The star all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, was only retained for the T20s and is likely to fire in the short games to get re-selected for the following ODIs.
Mohammad Hafeez
The skipper of the T20 side is not only lethal with the bat but a handful with the ball as well. Giving an ordinary performance with the bat in Sri Lanka (during the ICC World T20), Hafeez proved his worth as a captain after leading Lahore Lions to victory
in the Faysal Bank T20 Cup in Pakistan. Scoring 3 half centuries in a total of 5 innings he played as a batsman, the 32-year-old will be the key man to watch-out for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
Having the experience of 40 T20Is under his belt, the “professor” has a strike rate of 109.29.
Ahmed Shehzad
Being dropped from the side following an unimpressive display with bat in the T20s against Sri Lanka, earlier in June this year, Shehzad’s phenomenal run-scoring in the recent domestic tournament advocated his return in the national T20 squad against India.
Having a tally of 391 runs in 8 domestic innings, Shehzad was the highest scorer of the tournament. A fear for opposition, Shehzad will prove vital for Pakistan if he gets going.
Shahid Afridi
Having a few disappointing months in cricket, Afridi has a lot to prove. The fastest century scorer in ODIs is known for his strike rate of 142.29 in the shortest version.
Retained only for the T20Is, the 32-year-old will fight hard to make an impact during the short games to get an inclusion in the ODI team.
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