Handshake suspense clouds T20 clash

Pakistan, India set for high-voltage showdown in Colombo

COLOMBO:

Colombo is bracing for cricket's fiercest rivalry as the much-anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the ICC T20 World Cup is set for Sunday at the R. Premadasa Stadium, a contest that has already electrified fans long before the first ball is bowled.

With both sides unbeaten and a Super Eight berth on the line, the stakes could scarcely be higher.

The build-up has been anything but routine.

From Pakistan's initial threat to boycott over India's negative attitude to the eventual green light after justice for Bangladesh, the political undertones have only intensified anticipation.

Now, with a packed 35,000-capacity stadium and hundreds of millions expected to tune in worldwide, cricket returns to centre stage — though dark rain clouds hovering over Colombo threaten to add further drama.

Conditions are expected to favour spin, and both teams appear ready to lean heavily on their slow bowlers.

Practice sessions on Saturday were intense, with players fine-tuning strategies for what promises to be a high-pressure day-night encounter beginning at 7 pm, gates opening at 3 pm.

Fans have been advised to arrive at least four hours before the start.

A clash between these traditional rivals is always the highlight of any tournament.

Pakistan entered the game after a tough win over the Netherlands followed by a 32-run victory against the USA.

India have also won both their matches, defeating the USA and Namibia. In last year's Asia Cup, the "Men in Blue" prevailed in all three meetings against Pakistan, but the "Green Shirts" are determined to reverse that trend.

Sunday's winner will advance to the Super Eight stage, while the losing side will have another opportunity in their final group match.

The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium appears conducive to spin bowling. Pakistan's uniquely styled spinner Usman Tariq has troubled Indian batters before and will be supported by Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub in the spin department.

The pace attack will be led by Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf, although Faheem was not given the ball in the previous match and Shaheen is still working toward peak form.

Containing India's aggressive batters during the powerplay will be crucial.

India's explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, recovering from a stomach illness, has joined the squad in Colombo, though his participation remains uncertain.

Indian batters Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav are in fine touch, while Hardik Pandya has reinforced his status as a dependable all-rounder.

Pakistan's batting will rely on an aggressive start from Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub.

Salman Ali Agha, at one-down, will be expected to play a significant role.

Babar Azam remains the backbone of the side and will need to balance wicket preservation with maintaining scoring momentum.

All-rounders Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf have contributed with the bat, though Usman Khan, dismissed for zero in both previous matches, has struggled.

For India, Varun Chakravarthy's spin presents a challenge for Pakistani batters, while Axar Patel adds depth to their slow-bowling arsenal.

Security is at its highest level for the high-voltage encounter. Armed guards accompany both teams from hotels to practice sessions and match-day movements.

The blockbuster fixture has also delivered a major boost to Sri Lanka's tourism sector, with thousands of fans from both countries in Colombo. All tickets have been sold, and black-market sales are ongoing.

Rain remains a concern for Sunday evening, and fans are hoping for clear skies.

For the record, Pakistan and India have met 16 times in T20 Internationals. India have won 12, Pakistan 3, while the famous 2007 "bowl-out" match ended in a tie.

'Always ready'

Pakistan captain Salman Agha said Saturday his team had been "always ready" to face India on Sunday at the T20 World Cup, despite only being given the green light a few days ago.

The biggest and most lucrative clash in world cricket has sold out the 35,000-capacity R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo with hundreds of millions more expected to watch on television.

The game was only confirmed as going ahead late on Monday night after the Islamabad government made a U-turn on its order to boycott the blockbuster Group A game.

"This is a very big game and the magnitude is huge," Agha said ahead of the team's practice at the stadium on Saturday.

"We were always ready for the game, whatever be the decision."

Pakistan had a scrappy last-over three-wicket win against the Netherlands before beating the United States by 32 runs. India have also won both their matches so far.

"We are in good momentum and I hope that being in Colombo since the start will help us in terms of conditions," said Agha.

But he warned: "We have to play good cricket to win the match."

With rain forecast for Sunday evening, Agha expects spin to dominate and described Tariq Usman as his trump card against India's powerful batting lineup.

"Tariq has been bowling well and I am sure the mystery element will make him our trump card," Agha said, brushing aside doubts over the legality of Tariq's unique sling-arm action and the exaggerated pause in his delivery stride.

"He has been cleared twice so there are no worries."

Agha also expressed hope that players from both teams would shake hands, unlike during their three Asia Cup matches in Dubai last year.

"The game should be played in the true spirit of the game," said Agha.

"It has been the norm in cricket for years but whatever way they want, we will only know tomorrow."

"I hope he plays tomorrow. I hope he's recovering well," said Agha. "We want to play against the best, good luck to him."

Suryakumar

India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted Saturday that no matter how much his team tried to treat Sunday's clash against Pakistan as "just another game", it would be much more than that.

"It's a big platform, obviously," Suryakumar told reporters in Colombo. "No matter how much you say that it's just another game, it is a big game."

The game was only confirmed late on Monday night after Islamabad reversed its boycott decision.

"We don't play them often, don't even play them regularly," said the Indian skipper.

"But at the end of the day, we try to keep things simple and try to execute our best game.

"There is pressure, but there is a big opportunity," said Suryakumar.

"According to me, when you play an India-Pakistan game, it's more about the occasion."

He declined to confirm whether his players would shake hands after previous snubs in last year's Asia Cup.

"I will break the suspense tomorrow," he said.

"Wait for 24 hours, let us play the game which is more important."

Suryakumar downplayed the hype around Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq and his sling-arm action.

"We have practised with similar types of bowlers and similar actions so we will try to execute what we are practising in the night sessions," he said.

He added that Abhishek Sharma has recovered well and was likely to play.

Both teams have won their opening two matches, and Sunday's winner will secure qualification for the Super Eight stage.

(With additional input from Agencies)