Scores Schedule INDIA VS PAKISTAN BANGLADESH VS HONG KONG AFGHANISTAN VS NEPAL India vs Pakistan, 13th Match, Group 2, Dhaka Commentary Scorecard Preview: Battered and bruised in the first quarter of 2014, India will aim to take fresh guard when they open their World Twenty20 campaign against traditional foes Pakistan in what promises to be a cracker of a contest. While form favours Pakistan even though they were battered by South Africa in a warm-up game recently, history would be on Indias side as they have never lost to their arch-rivals on all three meetings of the previous editions of World T20. There will be some great inner battles within the main contest. Shahid Afridis pyrotechnics against Ravichandran Ashwins variations, Umar Guls pace against Virat Kohlis bravado, Saeed Ajmals guile against Mahendra Singh Dhonis flair. Afridis last-over exploits in the Asia Cup match will play on the Indian cricketers minds ahead of the game, although the format is completely different. There would be immense pressure on both sides and one can expect a full house at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium. For Dhoni, there are a number of issues that he needs to fret upon although the warm-up game against England was an indication as to what kind of line-up he is planning to field in the upcoming matches. There are still some concerns with both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawans performance in shorter versions hasnt been good enough but the skipper is not known to tinker too much with his side. Also the fact that Ajinkya Rahane, who can be an option as an opener having done the job for Rajasthan in the IPL, is also not inspiring confidence of the highest order. A good start is always crucial as it helps to seize the initiative early on in the match. Both Rohit and Dhawan would be aware that a couple of defeats could mean end of the road for India in this edition. The relief for the skipper would be his mainstay Virat Kohlis form. The teams No 1 batsman looked in great touch against England as he smashed an unbeaten 73 off only 47 balls. Dhonis trusted lieutenant Suresh Raina is also showing signs of getting back his touch which had deserted him for the better part of the last season. A 30-odd against Sri Lanka and a 31-ball-54 against England in two practice games would certain do his confidence a world of good. Ravichandran Ashwins form in the run-up to the tournament has been good with economical spells against both Sri Lanka and England. Ravindra Jadeja also had a decent outing with the ball against England. His terrific fielding and improved batting makes him an automatic choice. But Amit Mishra hasnt done too well in the practice games and with Yuvraj, Raina, Rohit in the team, there is a doubt whether a third specialist spinner would fit into the scheme of things. In the pace department, it will be a choice between Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron as Mohammed Shami is a certainty in the playing XI unless he has a niggle. Bhuvneshwars pace has been like cannon fodder for the batsmen and has been easy pickings for batsmen of all teams. Aarons pace is impressive but he has very little variations which can be a worry for captain during the death overs. Pakistan were all-out for 71 in their last warm-up game against South Africa but that had more to do with trying to test the batsmen by changing the order. While Ahmed Shehzad, skipper Hafeez, and the Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar - will be itching to have a go at India, the two fear factors for Dhonis men will be none other than Afridi and Ajmal. Ajmals four overs with the kind of variations he possesses can create a lot of trouble for Indian batsmen. Afridi on the other hand can change the complexion of the game with both bat and ball. In Umar Gul and Sohail Tanveer, they have a more than capable right-left bowling combination, who are never easy to get away. In all, brace up for what is going to be a riveting Friday blockbuster. Teams: India (From): MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma Pakistan (From): Mohammad Hafeez(c), Bilawal Bhatti, Kamran Akmal(w), Saeed Ajmal, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Ahmed Shehzad, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Talha, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 04:12:40 +0000
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