Saturday's match will serve as a precursor to the two teams' opening round battle in the ICC World Twenty20 next month.
Back after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, pacer Mohammad Aamir is expected to come out all guns blazing against India's batsmen.
IMAGE: Pakistan's Mohammad Amir celebrates after taking a wicket during the One-Day International against New Zealand, in Wellington, on January 25, 2016. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Cricket's most intriguing rivalry will again be renewed when India take on an unpredictable Pakistan, with rehabilitated pacer Mohammad Aamir being the focus of attention, in a round-robin league encounter of the Asia Cup T20 tournament, in Mirpur, on Saturday.
The match will also serve as a precursor to the two teams' opening round battle in the ICC World Twenty20 next month.
India-Pakistan cricket contests over the years have carried a legacy, not to forget the political undercurrents involved whenever the two bitter neighbours square off on the 22 yards strip.
But the most exciting aspect will be whether the tainted Aamir gets to play in the eleven.
Back after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, Aamir is playing for the national team since the tour of New Zealand. This immensely talented bowler will certainly come out all guns blazing against the Indian batsmen.
For Aamir, though, a good performance against India will probably help him gain some credibility not only in the dressing room but also among the common cricket-loving public in Pakistan.
In terms of preparation, both teams have been suitably prepared considering the amount of Twenty20 cricket they have played in the past month.
IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads the Indian team on to the field. Photograph: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
India kicked off their World T20 preparations in style, winning six out of the seven games played so far.
Pakistan's cricketers, on the other hand, are coming straight after playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which make them well-prepared.
Traditionally, India have never lost to Pakistan in global events, but it is not the case in a continental event where Shahid Afridi and co have performed well.
However, the Asia Cup has never been played in the T20 format, which is also a first.
The two teams met exactly a year and 11 days back in Adelaide during the 50-over World Cup game, which India won by 76 runs.
Post the World Cup, the proposed series on a neutral venue never happened as the Board of Control for Cricket in India did not get approval from the Indian government.
On the field, the Indian team, under Dhoni, is peaking at the right time with all the departments coming together.
The emergence of Hardik Pandya as a batting all-rounder, who can bowl seam-up, has lent the side the requisite balance that Dhoni has long been craving for.
Over the years, one has been a witness to Pakistan teams hitting the zenith and nadir in a space of few matches.
On paper, the Indians are way ahead in each and every department of the game but the beauty of this game is Pakistan's unpredictability.
No comments:
Post a Comment