Pakistan has never been in such a tight corner

In the entire World Cup history to date never has Pakistan been in such a tight corner as they are in the current tournament. Even when they had not qualified for the semi-finals (inaugural World Cup in 1975 and 21 years later in 1996), their reputation as one of the leading teams in the world had not been impaired to the extent as it has now.

The lack of commitment, poor form/fitness and the mediocre performance so far exhibited by the team in World Cup 2003 has reduced their rating just above the `B' Class teams participating in the mega event.

Alas! A team whose rich potential and capability is never in any doubt is suffering heavily for poor leadership, mismanagement and absence of strategic planning.

At last and finally the crunch moment has arrived.

Pakistan must enter Centurion Park on 1st March with a `do-or-die' spirit. Obviously the morale of Indian team is soaring having already earned 16 points and on recording a thumping 82 runs victory over England.

Not withstanding this situation and for the fact that Pakistan has lost all the three previous World Cup matches played against India the overall statistics hang heavily in Pakistan's favour with 52 victories against India's 29 in 85 encounters.

On analysis, Pakistan's major weakness in the recent matches had been their inept batting, too many wides and noballs, scratchy fielding and on top of all that, a lack of application and concentration.

However, supporters of the team believe that Pakistan will make amends and stage a comeback and one can hope they will keep their nerves in this crucial match.

Yet any forecast on the result of the match may prove erroneous except it suffices to say, the key of success for the two teams in this match is largely held by Sachin Tendulkar for India and Wasim Akram for Pakistan.

Here under is a brief review of the previous World Cup matches played between Pakistan and India:

1. 1992-Sydney:
Man of the Match Sachin Tendulkar scored 54 the highest in the Indian innings of 216-7 in 49 overs. KapilDev and Vinod Kambli contributed 35 and 24 respectively. Legspineer Mushtaq Ahmad claimed 3 for 59. Pakistan team, well known as poor chasers, collapsed and fell 43 runs short of the target despite Aamer Sohail's knocks of 62 and Javed Miandad's 40. Kapil Dev, Manhoj Parbhakar and Javagal Srinath all took two wickets each.

2. 1996-Bangalore:
Prior this match Pakistan had done reasonably well to win four of the five league matches but in their crunch match against India - the quarterfinals in Bangalore - they failed. Psychological pressure, indifferent batting and crowd behaviour accounted for the downfall of the potentially stronger team. Responding to a total of 287, Pakistan openers gave a flying start of 84 and they were chasing well at 231 for 5 when 4 wickets tumbled in quick succession, which sealed the fate of the match. Pakistani was without the services of skipper Wasim Akram, because of injury. The legend Javed Miandad bowed out of International cricket after this match.

3. 1999-Old Trafford
Pakistan bowling attack, in particular skipper Wasim Akram (2/27) and Azhar Mahmood (2/34), succeeded in containing India. Still Rahul Dravid (61), Mohammad Azharuddin (59) and Sachin Tendulkar (45) enabled them to reach 227-6. Pakistan batting once again flopped against their traditional opponents and were bowled out for (180) in 45.3 overs. Saeed Anwar on (36), Inzmam-ul-Haq (41) and Moin Khan (34) only some offered resistance to the magnificent bowling of Man of the Match Venkatesh Parsad - 5 for 27 in 9.3 overs. Javagal Srinath 3 for 37 and Anil Kumble 2 for 43 ably assisted the Indian hero. Pakistan lost the match by 47 runs.