WaseemBhai
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WASEEM SIDDIQUI
It's that time again. It's quite a rarity nowadays than the days gone by. It comes twice in four years now. But when it comes it brings down everything to a standstill. It reaches the noise to a ear-shattering crescendo with stadium overfilled all the time but also to a pin-dropped death-kneeling silence occasionally.
It's a matter of life and death for two Sub-continental nations. It's the time when two rivals unite in unison--divided by a border line. A nation of over one billion on one side and the other 194 million on the other. Nothing. Nothing unites the inhabitants of these nations into one each on either side than a clash between the two cricket teams.
Only one thing---the clash between the two arch rivals on a cricketing field has that power that one billion hearts on side and 194 million on the other become one soul.
It is on this occasion that the Pakistanis divided by hatred, groups, culture, ethnicity, rich and poor, religion and hundreds of other factors unite by one desire. So do the Indians. Both have only one dream--just beat the other on the cricketing field---not on a battle ground for that matter.
The win brings joy---abundant. The loss results in grief---doom.
And that time is here again---tomorrow. It is a tournament---World Twenty-20 Cup trimmed to a 10-super nations stage that kicks off tomorrow. Each and every of those 10 countries have converged in Dhaka with the sole aim of lifting the silverware at the end.
All the big guns are there. South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand and West Indies to name besides hosts Bangladesh. So do India and Pakistan but literally it is the clash between these two countries is what is considered to be the final by the people of these two nations. Even a loss in the final won't matter for those who win this clash.
Who ever wins tomorrow would be as happy, content and satisfied as having won the title. They will be the heroes in the eyes of their countrymen.
It is befitting the occasion. The marquee clash between India and Pakistan, the curtain-raiser , is for the first time that these two countries are playing as the first match involving more than five countries in an international tournament.
It will be the clash of two contrasting styles and reputations. India over-confident, swollen-headed and more predictable in nature. Pakistan high on their recent successes, one just against India in the Asia Cup, hot headed and most unpredictable. Both are so evenly matched that it is really hard to predict a winner between them.
India boasts of the best line-up in the world and Pakistan are proud of possessing the best bowlers on world stage. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian skipper is considered to be the best finisher of a contest in the world but Pakistan's most destructive batsman Shahid Afridi has equally proved his prowess in the recently-concluded Asia Cup also held in Bangladesh. He showed it that he can leave the best miles behind with disdainfully hit last over sixes against India itself in Asia Cup win.
And yes the x-factor. What about the myth that India can't beat Pakistan if it is a Friday? Mind you it is Friday tomorrow. Another reality--on the other hand---Pakistan has never beaten India in any World Cup match.
Dhoni and Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez tried to play down the rivalry their own ways on the eve of the match.
"I think it has mallowed down to some extent, whatever the reason may be. You do not see many altercations on the field. But still you see very competitive cricket., which I feel is very important," Dhoni palying down the fierceness of the competition said.
"History does not really bothers us. Irrespective of whether it is good or bad, it is history. All days are not great days. You should be ready for the next day." Pakistan skipper Hafeez, also known as 'professor' was philosophical.
And may be he is right. The group which has the best teams drawn together has not been dubbed the 'death group for nothing. Australia and defending champions West Indies are also in the same group.It will not only this clash but all other encounters will be as tough and decisive in determining the who lifts the cup ultimately.
Hafeez echoed the same sentiments when he said he was aware of the importance of an India-Pakistan clash but added that it is still one of several games Pakistan will have to win in the format.
"It is always good to know the expectations of the people and fans. Yes it is an India-Pakistan clash which is always important but this is not the whole tournament. And we want to put in good performance in the tournament.
The first game is always important to get the momentum right. Hopefully the boys will do well to get the best results for Pakistan'" he hoped.
An advantage for Pakistan would having the luxury of having quite a few all-rounders which Dhoni terms as multi-skilled players in any side and Hafeez thinks this gives Pakistan an advantage.
"As far as the all-rounders edge is concerned, yes, we do believe we have good all-rounders in the side. We have Afridi, Shoaib Malik and myself and that will probably help us", Hafeez was of the view.
Saeed Ajmal, the most fearsome of the spinners in the world and trailing Lasith Malinga by just one wicket in the format to be the second-highest on the circuit, has always been a bother for India. Umar Gul is another in the top five along with Afridi and the trio could be more than enough to thwart any opposition.
India are also no short of winners in their ranks. Yuvraj Singh, Suresh RainaRavinder Jadeja besides Virat Kohli can easily be called the best batsmen in the world along with Dhoni himself. The only worry India may have is in their bowling department as three of their four fast bowlers have never played in a T-20 match and the fourth one. Bhuvnesh Kumar, has featured in only three.
It will all boil down to Pakistan bowling and Indian batting. Whereas Pakistan hold a clear edge in the bowling department the Indian batsmen seemed to be more solid. Like Pakistan's brittle batting the Indian bowlers will have to come up with much improved performance and you know what? I suspect Pakistan batting.
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