New Delhi: India have been in red-hot form in the run up to the semifinal clash against Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday. And though there are still some chinks in their bowling armour, their top seven batsmen have shown throughout the World Cup that they are not just paper tigers.
But when the MS Dhoni-led side meets Shahid Afridi's boys on March 30, they would like to remember that there are a few things about the unpredictable green brigade that they should be wary of in the high-octane clash.
Boom-boom Afridi:
None of us needs any introduction to what the 31-year-old is capable of and his figures, surprisingly with the ball this time, are staggering to say the least. The Pakistan skipper has flabbergasted batsmen with his guile and scalped 21 wickets in the tournament so far. He is the leading wicket-taker of the event and also for Pakistan in all the World Cups they have participated so far.
And though he hasn't looked his usual self - when he clears boundaries with his 'boom boom' - with the willow until now, an Afridi special is always there at the back of everyone's mind. India should, thus, be wary of the Pakistan skipper, who is leading his side from the front and looking determined to take it to the full distance.
Umar Gul, the Mr consistent:
It's not that difficult to describe Umar Gul, especially after what we have seen of him in the quadrennial event so far. He seems to be a new lease of life for a side that lost some of its premium bowlers in the spot-fixing fiasco. The lanky pacer has taken 13 wickets so far and looks hungry for more.
The 26-year-old seamer has shown exceptional control with his line and length in the early overs and has also served batsmen some toe-crushing yorkers which were impossible to negotiate in the death overs. Gul is someone the Indian team management would like to take out of their way; however, in current form, doing that looks a little difficult.
Controversy-ridden Akmal brothers:
Controversies and Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar - seem to go in hand in hand. The two are also difficult to differentiate when it comes to their appearance and mannerism, both on and off the field! And though the elder brother has been under a scanner for his shoddy display behind the wickets, his capability of playing fluent strokes early on in his innings cannot be doubted. Yes, it also often leads to his downfall but when in full flow, the wicketkeeper batsman is capable of playing some delectable strokes.
The same can be said about his younger sibling, who has been touted as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. And as long as he keeps a check on his off-field antics, the 20-year-old player has got the necessary ingredients to touch the highest echelons of the game. Umar, who is nine years younger to Kamran, is an exciting player to watch and has got a wide range of shots in his armour. His composure at the crease and alacrity to steal singles are commendable.
A fully fit Akmal brothers, both physically and mentally, are well capable of changing the course of the game in their favour.
Misbah-Younis, the seasoned duo:
Amid all the hooplah that always surrounds the Pakistan side, the experienced pair of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq provides a calming touch to the side. And though the ever smiling Younis has faced some tough time lately, his skills in playing the spinners are unmatchable.
Same holds true for the 36-year-old Misbah, who takes his time to get his eye in, but once set, the tall batsman can take the attack to the opponents. We all witnessed his hitting skills in the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa where he gave India a real scare in the final. The two batsmen, if given some time to set, could be the guiding force in the Pakistan's middle order.
The maverick Abdul Razzak:
Though the swashbuckling all-rounder is looking like a pale shadow of his former self, the hitting capabilities of this swashbuckling player are second to none. Clearing the front leg to make some space and loft the ball over the mid-wicket and cover region is the strength of this 31-old player.
His ability to take wickets makes him a genuine all-rounder. He bowls seam up when it is hard and new, and also disguises the batsmen with his change of pace once it gets a little older. He can be placed high in the all-rounders' list, someone who can turn the game on its head if it’s his day.
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