Asia Cup: Pakistan To Face India Today
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 1:26 pm Under Sports News 35 views
KARACHI :Shoaib Malik’s Pakistan team will be playing under dark clouds and facing a daunting task as they take on arch-rival India in Super four round of Cricket Asia Cup at National Stadium in a day/night encounter here on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s tiny chances of qualifying for next Sunday final, depend as they must beat Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Indian side tomorrow and than hoping their rival also loses to Sri Lanka on Thursday.
And there are more calculations that despite this drama practically happening Pakistan team must have better net-run-rate to progress in the final.
Pakistan team is under great stress and pressure and handling the pressure would be key factor in their success. Home team were outplayed both by holders Sri Lanka and India in their previous match in the competition.
However under the current prevailing conditions when form and morale is down, it will be very difficult proposition for the home team to repair their dented pride in front of their home crowd.
Pakistan team is already hit by controversies, injury problems, selection trouble and Coach Geoff Lawson tiff with the media. Lawson has tendered an unconditional apology but it had left the best taste.
Shahid Afridi is struggling both with the bat and ball while team’s bowling suffered a blow with muscle rib injury to Umar Gul and team opening batting problems. Afridi is facing the axe after string of failures.
Shoaib Malik almost certain to lead the team against India after getting proper rest after dehydration problem.
Changes are there in offing as there is likelihood that all-rounder Fawad Alam will be returning to the final 11 after dropped in the game against Sri Lanka.
Reserve opener Nasir Jamshed may also get selectors nod after failure of Salman Butt.
Hosts will be heavily banking in batting aces of Muhammad Yousuf and Younis Khan to salvage team’s pride in break scenario.
Dhoni’s Indian team is good frame of mind with the consistent batting show from their top three Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina.
All-rounder Irfan Pathan may be appearing in first game after missing the first three because of injury.
Pakistan team: Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Mansoor Amjad, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.
India: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain-wicket-keeper), Yousuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Pravin Kumar, Rudra Partap Singh, Ishant Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Manpreet Gony, Pragyan Ojha.
Tony Hill (New Zealand) and Ian Gould (England) will be supervise the match. Alan Hurst of Australia will be Match referee.
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