By Indian Cricket Fever
March 27 2011

India will meet arch-nemesis Pakistan in the second semi-final of the 2011 World Cup to be played at Mohali on March 30th.  The encounter is likely to be the most anticipated and watched match of the entire World Cup, including the Final.  If history is anything to go by, then Pakistan have no chance as they have never won a match against India in the World Cup. 

The semi-finalists have been determined.  The pre-tournaments favorites, South Africa, once again proved that they have not gottten rid of their tag as "chokers".  Australia were sent on their way, despite a classy ton by their out of form captain, Ricky Ponting.  Pakistan and Sri Lanka the other two sub-continental contenders simply brushed aside pretenders West Indies and England, setting up two contrasting semi-final clashes.

Sri Lanka versus New Zealand is as much a mismatch, especially as the match is to be played in Sri Lanka, as it is a low-key affair between two Island nations with great cricketing pedigree but not huge global appeal.  India versus Pakistan on the other hand is a Giga-watt event which not only will be the most anticipated match, but also probably the most watched game of the World Cup. 

The teams have come here in contrasting fashion.  India were one of the pre-tournament favorites, and have not quite lived up to their billing, though producing enough class when necessary to reach this stage.  Pakistan on the other hand were one of the dark horses prior to the start of the tournament, in the wake of the betting scandal, but have shown that under the leadership of the mercurial Shahid Afridi they are a well balanced unit, capable of beating any opponent on any given day.

It may be a good omen that this clash is going to be held in Mohali, home of India's most valuable player of the tournament so far, Yuvraj Singh.  Unfortunately, Yuvraj has a very mediocre record at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, with an average of just 23.  The good news for India however is that the highest runscorer in ODIs at the ground is the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, himself.

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, decided to try some psychological warfare before the game, saying that Sachin will have to wait till after the World Cup to score his 100th international ton.  This is the kind of personal provocation that many an opponent has regretted in the past, and with Sachin in sublime form, this may be just the needle that causes him to play a blinder. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will certainly be hoping that his team do not get pressurized by the situtaion, though playing at home, in front of their own fans can be a double edged sword.  For Pakistan too the location of the match in the border state of Punjab, will mean both sizeable support from across the border, but also, if they happen to lose, a quick exit home.

In any case the PCA Stadium is not just going to be full it is going to be fuller than full i.e. like the famous peg of whisky it will be a Patiala Housefull

Patiala Housefull

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 27/03/2011 00:10

Indian Cricket Fever
27/03/2011 00:10

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:31:04:02:34 by Birbal.

Reply Quote Report

Super Sexi Vegitto
25/03/2011 19:59

Congratulation guys for qualifying for the final. I don't see India losing the final.

Tendulkar deserves the cup!

Reply Quote Report

Indian Well Wisher
25/03/2011 20:51

^ Do u seriously feel that such jinxing works?

Anyways continuing with ur thread, thx for the wishes, better luck to Pak next time..

Reply Quote Report

Spirit of Cricket
25/03/2011 22:19

India would be favorites, for several reasons:

- Better batting
- Zaheer & Bhajji
- Finally and most important, Pak has lost every single match they have played against India in a World Cup

I can't see them getting past the last record.

Reply Quote Report

thirdman
25/03/2011 22:31

I say this semi-final has a HUGE CLOUD of suspicion hanging over it.....and I mean MASSSSSIIIVVVEEEE CLOUD.


All bets are off !!....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:25:22:33:15 by thirdman.

Reply Quote Report

Spirit of Cricket
26/03/2011 04:45

The fixing angle will not figure in this match, because the one thing Pakistani cricketers dream about more than anything else - yes, even more than money - is to beat India in a World Cup. Four out of Four - Perfect!

Reply Quote Report

luddite
26/03/2011 16:58

Pakistan are very hard to beat when they are not being bribed to lose.

Reply Quote Report

Birbal
27/03/2011 00:26

Pakistan have a lot of variety in bowling so if they can restrict India to a reasonable total...they should be able to win their first World Cup game against India...

On the other hand if India restrict Pakistan to a decent total... then they should be able to chase it down...

It will be a battle between India's batsmen and Pakistan's bowlers... nothing new there... eh?

Reply Quote Report

Super Sexi Vegitto
28/03/2011 01:25

Quote:

Anil
The fixing angle will not figure in this match, because the one thing Pakistani cricketers dream about more than anything else - yes, even more than money - is to beat India in a World Cup. Four out of Four - Perfect!

1996 Quarter-final Money always talks!

Reply Quote Report

Indian Well Wisher
28/03/2011 18:04

^ Sour grapes..LOL..

Wait for Wednesday, u will get more of these..

Reply Quote Report

Meet_New_Mr_India
28/03/2011 19:05

If we bat first, we have huge chance to win this game.. batting 2nd against the best bowling attack would be monumental unless we see a repeat of 2003.. SRT, VS and UV are the key when it comes to batting.. Zaheer and Bhajji will be key bowlers..

Reply Quote Report

Atul
28/03/2011 21:50

In this WC, PAK attack looks very good because of Afridi's wicket taking ability, But Afridi is not that much threat to India than other team. If we negotiate Gul's Overs then it will be easy for Indian batting line up.
On the other hand pak's batters are very unpredictable against India, I'm hoping that India play Sreesanth his swing will make early damage with Zaheer accuracy.

Reply Quote Report

Spirit of Cricket
28/03/2011 22:17

Mohali will be a batting wicket, as curator has already warned - India is a batting team - Pak is a bowling team - so it takes no genius to figure out who are the favorites.

Besides, Pak bowling team has no genuine quickies - old Shoaib Akhtar and ordinary Umar Gul - and a part time spinner like Afridi.

Reply Quote Report

Max
30/03/2011 08:17

Gul can be very good in ODI/T20's. Cannot take him lightly. Same with Afridi who has been in red hot form with the ball. India might have to play these two carefully and go after the other bowlers.

India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!

Reply Quote Report

Indian Well Wisher
30/03/2011 18:19

Quote:

Super Sexi Vegitto
Congratulation guys for qualifying for the final. I don't see India losing the final.
Tendulkar deserves the cup!

LOL..Hey SSV Kid..hope u have learnt that such jinxing c.rap does not work....

the actual match is played in field and requires skills and guts to win the match, which Pak.is did not have...

Anyways, stop posting such bull.@#$%& in these matured forums..find a kiddie forum for such childish posts..

Wait for 4 years now..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:30:18:35:52 by Indian Well Wisher.

Reply Quote Report

Birbal
31/03/2011 03:44

Housefull, paisa vasool...

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net