Medical Exam

When India plays Pakistan, the event becomes a Mega Event. When India plays Pakistan in a World Cup; it becomes a major mega event. When India plays Pakistan in a World Cup Semi Final; it becomes Mother of Major Mega Event. Perhaps only thing which can be superior to this contest is both teams meeting at a World Cup Final.

There has been lot said about how England and Australia are different in terms of “Cricket” that they display. Even though at cultural level India and Pakistan may have lot of similarity but there are significant differences between the thought processes of both teams. Both teams have different ways of handling the pressure and playing game in general.
With Pakistan Cricket team, you can associate terms such as confident, Talent, Aggressive and Natural brilliance. Indian Cricket team is more devotional, proficient, divine and with (Artificial) Intelligence. Both have one thing in common though: Passion.

From the outside perspective, it may look like India has better batting and Pakistan has better bowling line up. Its always the case that India gets associated with batting while Pakistan gets associated with Bowling. However in the World cup though, history shows that India has bowled much better against Pakistan.

1992 World Cup: First encounter between India and Pakistan at World Cup Stage and India scored only 216 runs but bowled Pakistan out for 173 runs. 1996 Quarter Final: Even though Ajay Jadeja’s 25 balls 45 runs may come quickly in mind; It was Prasad’s getting Aamir Sohail out turn the game to India’s favor. India did not bowled Pakistan out but did manage to take 9 wickets. 1999 World Cup: India scored only 227 runs but V.Prasad took 5 wickets and Pakistan was bundled out for 180 runs.

2003 World Cup was the only exceptional one where India did not perform good with bowlers. India still manages to chase the target but bowlers did not perform as good as they might like. There is a reason though. Pakistan batted first time in First inning against India. In high pressure game such as this; the team who is batting first has advantage. When you are setting a target, you look at the situation more rather than scoreboard. Its how many runs needed against however many you can get.

If India is batting first and scores well over an excess of 300; that’s confirming victory against bowling line up which is as good as you can get. If Pakistan is batting first though, 280 might be enough.

From the team composition perspective; India should not take two off spinners (Ashwin and Harbhajan) against Pakistan who does not have a single lefty batsman. I also think, Nehra might be more useful instead of Munaf because the ball will go away from right hand batsman more often or not. It will be interesting to see what would be Indian Management’s thinking. If they are willing to open the bowling with Ashwin and use the second medium pacer in the middle overs, then Nehra might not be that useful. India did have a Plan B for Munaf. Munaf went for plenty of runs in first over against Australia but soon after that there was a drinks break. Pretty sure, Kirsten suggested plan B for Munaf and Dhoni stand up near stumps and asked Munaf to bowl on the stump line to restrict batsman from scoring. If India wants to pursue same plan then Munaf is a better bowler in middle overs. However if India is not comfortable with Ashwin against Kamran Akmal and Mohd. Hafeez who are much better players of spin bowling then Nehra should be in the side.

From Pakistan’s perspective; they should promote Afridi at number 3 if Ashwin is bowling. Afridi is not being productive later half of the inning and his quick fire 30 could really help them. I prefer Afridi over Razaaq because, Razzaq in the lower orders can keep his cool and still get some runs unlike Afridi who is more likely to throw away his wicket.

Afridi’s middle overs are going to be the turning point of the game. If Afridi comes on when Tendulkar or Gambhir still at crease, they will milk him for runs. If Afridi go for over 50 runs with less than 2 wickets, that’s big plus for India. Afridi’s 10 overs are going to be very crucial.

It’s interesting to see if Dhoni and Afridi are willing to take a risk of having Sreesanth and Shoaib Akhtar in the side. Contest between India and Pakistan has tremendous amount of pressure and not sure if adding this high maintenance nuisance will help them or destroy them. Both of them very talented bowlers but can go for plenty of runs and once they don’t take wicket in a over or two, they both can be wayward and add negative influence to the team.

Asad Safiq’s inclusion has strengthen Pakistan’s middle order; however I don’t think he should be send at number 3 position. I think Pakistan should send Afridi at number 3 and Younis Khan at 4 and then Asad Safiq at number 5. Both Misbah and Umar Akmal are capable to increase the run rate if they come in last 20 overs. Asad Safiq at number 3 is dangerous. One in swinging ball from Zaheer he can get out as LBW and then lot will depend upon Younis/Misbah partnership to bail them out. 3 wickets under 100 runs means 280 might just become out of reach for Pakistan and so is victory.

India’s victory yet again depends upon GOD. Rest assured he will be better prepared against Pakistan. He has more motivation now after Afridi’s trash talk to score that century which he swear, he won’t allow. If Tendulkar scores 100 then India scores over 300 and that might be just more than enough for Victory. Good thing from India’s perspective though is now a days, India’s batting does not depend a lot upon Tendulkar alone. Sehwag is capable of destroying any attack. Gambhir is best player against spin bowling. Yuvraj is the in-form batsman and bowler from India’s side.

Pressure is tremendous for both side to perform before the game. This is one of those game where pressure is not going to go down even during the game. Add to that both team’s prime minister are also attending the game. From player’s perspective they need to be FIT to perform during the game physically as well as mentally. More than players, spectators also need to get their Medical Exams done and check their heart status before the game. This is not the game for weaken souls.