ICC T20 World Cup is just one day away but that doesn't mean that the viewers will have to wait for another 24 hours to get some live cricketing action. All the teams are busy playing warm-up matches to give them momentum ahead of the real competition.
But there is one warm-up match that is different from others and that is the reason why this match will be telecasted live. No the match do not involve the home team but the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The broadcasters know that this warm-up match will interest more people than some of the league game matches and it is quite clever of them to telecast it.
Neither team will take this match lightly because they might have to face each other in super-eights and in the semi-finals. The platform is designed in such manner that if everything goes to plan these neighbours will play each other thrice including the practice match.
Both India and Pakistan are among the title contenders and it will certainly be a very interesting match. There is never a dull moment when these two sides play and this match should be no different.
Let’s have a look at some of the players from either sides who can put the stage on fire.
India:
Virat Kohli: The ICC ODI player of the year is in sensational form, he is playing back to back match winning innings and is dismantling every bowling attack that comes his way. Pakistan will be very well aware of the threat he possesses, as he played a miraculous innings against them in the Asia Cup not too long ago.
Suresh Raina: Raina is one of the best hitters in the world in this format. His ability to hit sixes at crucial junctures makes him a very important player for India. He has a habit of scoring match-winning runs, but in today’s match it will be interesting to see the position at which he bats.
Irfan Pathan: Pathan has been the best Indian bowler in shorter formats since he has made the comeback into the Indian squad in Sri Lanka. He has a long history against Pakistan and wil be raring to go against them.
Harbhajan Singh: He has always been India’s prime entertainer on the field. He is a fierce competitor and a match against Pakistan can really set him free. Harbhajan needs a good performance and this might be the right time for him.
Pakistan:
Mohammed Hafeez: Pakistani skipper is one of the most efficient cricketer when it comes to T20 cricket. He is a very good batsmen and his bowling makes him doubly dangerous. He is one of the rare cricketers who opens with both bat and the ball on most occasions.
Kamran Akmal: He is one of the cleanest striker in the Pakistani team. Akmal does struggle when he is behind the wicket, but he is most comfortable when he has the bat in his hands. Indian team will have to stop him if they want to do well in this match.
Saeed Ajmal: He is arguably the best spinner in the world right now. He has been doing brilliantly in all the formats and taking him for runs in T20 matches looks almost impossible. He is a very confident individual and Indian batsmen will know how important his four overs are.
Umar Gul: Gul is one of the best old ball bowlers in the world. He is dangerous with the new ball but it is the old ball in his hands that can give any batsmen nightmares. He has tremendous control on his yorkers and is a brilliant exponent of the reverse-swing.
By Indian Sports News Network
