India v Pakistan: Not for the faint-hearted

There was thunder, lightning and a heavy downpour here on the eve of the game, perhaps the most-awaited and the most-hyped contest of the first round in this 2003 World Cup. However, the sun broke out later in the afternoon. And it perhaps was in the fitness of things that thunder and showers came a day early than on the match-day.

The forecast for Saturday being just partly cloudy, with no rain predicted, the sparks are likely to fly throughout the high-voltage game.

Wasim Akram Photo © Reuters

A match between Pakistan and India is never for the weak in heart. But with Pakistan painted into a corner and scrambling to find themselves a slot in the Super Sixes, and India resurgent after three back-to-back wins - not to mention a packed-to-capacity 20,000 strong partisan crowd at the Supersport Park egging both outfits on to go for the jugular - this is likely to be a heart-stopper.

Pakistan's high-profile pace attack going after arguably the best batting line-up in the world on a wicket which offers pace and bounce would obviously give the contest added colour.

Coming into the game India are, of course, on a high. After they were tamed by Australia on this very ground by a staggering nine-wicket margin, India have managed to put their World Cup campaign back on track by notching up three wins, the most important of them at Durban against England. And as a result India are sitting pretty along with Australia - both having qualified for the next round.

In the meanwhile, Pakistan have mostly been in a shambles. The game against England was lost as the chase faltered under the lights at Cape Town - the same fate that condemned England against India at Durban.

Sachin Tendulkar Photo © Reuters

So there is whole lot more at stake for Pakistan, other than the loss of face which invariably accompanies a reverse against India. Pakistan need points from a win, as well as salvaging pride. Though Pakistan would still have a window open if they rustle up a big win against Zimbabwe, victory against India would provide them a cushion for comfort.

In his pre-match press conference, Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly tried to play it down, by saying that it would just be another game for his team. And that he just wanted to retain the momentum. "For us, it is just a World Cup game. I don't want to go into the political side."

But it is indeed going to be a high-pressure game. And even Ganguly had to concede that the game had much wider implications. "Both our teams should be pretty careful with displays of emotion on the field for it could spill off the field," he said. And when asked whether he would resist the temptation of sledging back, with a wry smile he answered back that he "would not start it."

In his talk to the media, Waqar Younis expressed similar sentiments. "This is going to be a very hard game. The emotions run high, I'm already getting calls from back home. There are loads of expectations. But we are just taking it as another game, a very important game though. We want to win badly, it's a do and die match for us."

Pakistan's worries are many, their opponents being the least of them. Their batting has scarcely got going even against the minnows. The form of the middle order, especially the key figure of Inzamam-ul-Haq having just ten runs to his name in four outings, has been dismal, with that of Yousuf Youhana being better but only marginally so. Barring the minnows Namibia and Holland, Pakistan have failed to get a worthwhile start, and with few wickets preserved till the so-called slog overs, no wonder Shoaib Akhtar has been their best batsman.

The fielding, after occasionally showing discipline, has mostly frayed at the edges as well.

The captaincy, especially the choice of bowlers in the middle overs, has allowed opponents reprieve at a point when tightening of screws was sorely needed. That is why from 146 for five in the 30th over, and 118 for five at the halfway stage, Australia and England respectively were allowed to notch up far bigger totals than they would ordinarily have if Pakistan had bowled and fielded with zest and imagination.

In contrast, India have been gradually peaking in all departments of the game. Their batting is looking up, with all main batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid getting runs, bowling is becoming more and more incisive and fielding, especially of youngsters Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh at times is more than just quite sharp.

So Pakistan would surely require lifting their game several notches to prevail over India. But above all, what they would need is skipper Waqar Younis shunning a rather defensive, perhaps a loser's mindset and inspire his charges to have a go at the opposition.

If he does so, and the boys respond to him, Pakistan have the resources to beat India after a three-year hiatus (last time they met was the 2000 Asia Cup final) and in the process win their first World Cup tie against their arch-rival in four outings. But to achieve that end, they would have to fire on all cylinders against an increasingly confident Indian team.