History backs India, form puts Pak ahead
15 Feb 2015 11:09 PM GMT
India-Pakistan clashes always create a lot of buzz among cricket fanatics and it is no different this time as the high-octane encounter is once again ready to enthrall fans, this time during the World Cup at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
For many, the outcome of the World Cup doesn’t even matter as a victory in this match is as good as winning the title. The organisers have said that the tickets of the 50,000 capacity stadium were sold out within minutes after they went on sale. The Group B fixture once again raises the question of whether Pakistan will be able to break the jinx and defeat their neighbours in the sport’s showpiece event. While Pakistan have a better One-Day International (ODI) record against India, they have never been able to defeat their traditional rivals in all five Cup contests till date, the last of which came four years ago in the semi-final at Mohali. However, Pakistan would want to straighten the record in the Cup opener for both sides.
The 1992 champions are not the favourites and neither do they have many stars in their line-up. To add to their troubles, a couple of their top players have been ruled out of the tournament.
Nevertheless, their traditional unpredictability remains their biggest strength, something which has always aided them in the past. The withdrawals of all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan have come as a severe blow. But Pakistan’s fast bowling has been their traditional strength and this time too the seam attack looks formidable.
For many, the outcome of the World Cup doesn’t even matter as a victory in this match is as good as winning the title. The organisers have said that the tickets of the 50,000 capacity stadium were sold out within minutes after they went on sale. The Group B fixture once again raises the question of whether Pakistan will be able to break the jinx and defeat their neighbours in the sport’s showpiece event. While Pakistan have a better One-Day International (ODI) record against India, they have never been able to defeat their traditional rivals in all five Cup contests till date, the last of which came four years ago in the semi-final at Mohali. However, Pakistan would want to straighten the record in the Cup opener for both sides.
The 1992 champions are not the favourites and neither do they have many stars in their line-up. To add to their troubles, a couple of their top players have been ruled out of the tournament.
Nevertheless, their traditional unpredictability remains their biggest strength, something which has always aided them in the past. The withdrawals of all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan have come as a severe blow. But Pakistan’s fast bowling has been their traditional strength and this time too the seam attack looks formidable.
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