The way I see it Pakistan have an edge over India in bowling but India's batting looks a lot more organised and superior. I would even say India are slight favourites at the moment as they are on something of a roll at the moment with convincing victories against South Africa and Australia. Let's hope for the best on Monday.
India are less unpredictable then us. There batting is generally much more solid, and importantly they have a knack of knocking us over in key world cup games. Infact, sadly, its 5-0 to them. (50/50 WC and this inaugral 20/20).
Pak may be better batting off first. As chasing a big total (anything over 160) is very tough, 8+ rpo is a huge ask over 20 overs. Our bowling is our strength, play to it and let it defend a score.
The key I feel is how Asif and Gul bowl. Can they knock over Sehwag early? And most vitally, can they KO Yuvraj. He may well be the key to this final.
I have been known as a pessimist here but I will put my money on India for the finals. The reason being that they will go into the match immediately after defeating a super-team like Australia in a very important match and that will have given the players huge confidence boost and self-belief. I know Pak have defeated Australia too in this tournament but its not the same thing. We already saw some of that confidence in the body-language of the Indians after the match.
India are less unpredictable then us. There batting is generally much more solid, and importantly they have a knack of knocking us over in key world cup games. Infact, sadly, its 5-0 to them. (50/50 WC and this inaugral 20/20).
Pak may be better batting off first. As chasing a big total (anything over 160) is very tough, 8+ rpo is a huge ask over 20 overs. Our bowling is our strength, play to it and let it defend a score.
The key I feel is how Asif and Gul bowl. Can they knock over Sehwag early? And most vitally, can they KO Yuvraj. He may well be the key to this final.
I also feel that Pakistan's best chance is to bat first and score big 170-180 and put pressure on the Indian batsmen not least because India won the last two games batting first.
I would not keep Asif for the death overs. That role should be entrusted to Gul and Tanveer
pak has more weapons than india does. all pak batsmen are six hitters which cant be said of all indian bastmen. similarly, pak can play 5 proper wicket taking bowlers which india cant. like for like, pak is much better team. in this format however, match is going to come down to which player gets hot, yuvraj survives for 5 overs and pak will face up-hill battle. similarly afridi survives 5 overs and india will find it tough.
I have been known as a pessimist here but I will put my money on India for the finals. The reason being that they will go into the match immediately after defeating a super-team like Australia in a very important match and that will have given the players huge confidence boost and self-belief. I know Pak have defeated Australia too in this tournament but its not the same thing. We already saw some of that confidence in the body-language of the Indians after the match.
I have said India will be faves, there is no doubt about that. They are psychologically the stronger team-and Indo-Pak games are played 90% in the mind.
btw, I will retain Joginder Sharma and not bring in Agarkar (though I have a suspicion that we will see Agarkar back). I think a senior player (cricket manager...someone) needs to have a good chat with Joginder to guide him. Bowling in Twenty20 is not really complicated. Since taking wickets is not the primary aim, one just has to make sure not to give width or bowl too many length balls . Joginder has this habit of bowling full-tosses (I think when he is trying yorkers). That said, I feel he is a decent bowler. I looked into his domestic cricket statistics...they are pretty impressive esp considering the flat pitches of India.
yuvraj survives for 5 overs and pak will face up-hill battle. similarly afridi survives 5 overs and india will find it tough.
so which team will hold their nerve?
The key difference is Yuvraj is likely to last for 5 overs, Afridi doesnt do that in 50/50 most of the time. I think he should bat up the order, let him chance his arm. If it comes of, Pak are likely to win (if Afridi batted say 30 balls...he'd score close to 100!), if he fails...its usual.
pak has more weapons than india does. all pak batsmen are six hitters which cant be said of all indian bastmen. similarly, pak can play 5 proper wicket taking bowlers which india cant. like for like, pak is much better team. in this format however, match is going to come down to which player gets hot, yuvraj survives for 5 overs and pak will face up-hill battle. similarly afridi survives 5 overs and india will find it tough.
so which team will hold their nerve?
You are correct on several counts....but I have noticed that lately it is Pakistan (used to be India earlier) who display a very nervous body language in crunch situations. The bowl-out was an example.
