Published: Mar 19, 2016, 09:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 19, 2016, 09:01 AM (IST)
Pakistan are looking to beat the ghosts of the World Cup past and eventually breaking the jinx of their equations with India in World cup games as they come together for fifth natch of T20 World Cup 2016. Pakistan have lost 4 matches to hosts in the history of T20 World Cup. They took the perfect revenge from Bangladesh beating them in every department of the game. Pakistan is in high spirits as their batting finally clicked and was able to post a mammoth total against Bangladesh. They will be going against India brimming with confidence under Shahid Afridi’s captaincy. A change in side is highly unlikely as Kolkata’s pitch is a batting paradise and the skipper will be reluctant to astray from winning combination. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2016, Match 19 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Top Order: The top order looked far from impressive, struggling constantly in Asia Cup failing to provide a decent start. With Ahmed Shehzad coming into the picture as an opener, Pakistan’s top order looks promising. They were looking to attack in the initial overs and put bowlers under pressure right away, which is a positive sign for Pakistan’s batting line up. Sharjeel Khan is fairly complementing Shehzad in their opening stand trying to attack the bowler. Mohammad Hafeez is once again beginning to feel his true self displaying a splendid half century against Bangladesh which ended with a failed attempt of “Helicopter shot”. They will be put to a test against India’s in-form bowling attack. They should look out for Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker.
Middle Order: The skipper Shahid Afridi aka “Boom Boom” is back in the form and Pakistan cannot be more relieved. He is a lethal weapon who can destruct any side on better days. He fuels the middle order providing needed firepower to accelerate. Umar Akmal is the leading scorer for Pakistan in T20s, he has been in and out of form in recent matches. His form will be crucial in Pakistan posting a big total or chasing one. Shoaib Malik’s presence adds dependability to the middle order. He ups his game when the chips are down trying to knock the ball around for ones and twos and in the end hitting full throttle. READ: India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2016 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata: Key Battles
New entrant Imad Wasim hasn’t proved himself yet in the international circuit but sending him ahead of Sarfraz Ahmed in last match should mean something. Sarfraz Ahmed and Imad Wasim might switch positions in the game according to the situation of the match.The middle order have to play against India’s spin webster Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Scoring off Bumrah in death overs will be a test for them.
Lower Order and Bowling: Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed and Imad Wasim will juggle positions in lower order and middle order. Looking at the previous match against hosts India in Asia Cup, Sarfraz might be a better choice to leave the death overs to as he was the only batsman to score in the match. Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Irfan don’t seem equipped enough with batting talent to score in case their batsmen fail. Pakistan’s bowling is considered to be one of the best in the tournament. Aamer’s form is a big advantage for them. He almost won the low scoring battle against India single handedly putting up a stellar show. Mohammad Irfan has also contributed troubling the batsmen with his pace and extra bounce. Wahab Riaz hasn’t been himself lately failing to find his rhythm. He will be looking to repeat the heroics of infamous spell against Australia in 2015 World Cup.
Pakistan’s likely XI (Batting Order): Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi(c), Sarfraz Ahmed(wk), Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Irfan
(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry is a daydreamer, movie buff and a cricket fanatic. He couldn’t play cricket so did the next best thing, writing for it, he loves to play the flick shot over square leg. P.S. Sachin is God!! His twitter handle is @ArunRawal93)
