Pakistan will look to extend their dominant form and put India on the brink of elimination when the old foes clash in the World Twenty20 Super Eights match today.
Pakistan have never beaten India in either the 50-over World Cup or the World Twenty20, but Mohammad Hafeez’s men start as favourites in the much-awaited Super Eights game in Colombo. Pakistan are the team in form, winning both matches in the preliminary league before stunning top-ranked South Africa by two wickets in their first Super Eights game on Friday.
In contrast, Australia annihilated India by nine wickets later the same evening, leaving MS Dhoni’s men needing to beat Pakistan and South Africa to stay in contention for the semi-finals. But if Australia beat South Africa and Pakistan defeat India in Sunday’s double-header, both winners will advance to the semi-finals from what was billed as the ‘group of death’.
Hafeez said that his team is confident of getting a positive result against India.
“Everyone is looking forward to the India match,” said Hafeez. “Since we have won against them in the warm-up game, it will give us confidence going into the match. That victory has been a real morale booster for us and the boys are upbeat and raring to go against India.”
Pakistan seamer Umar Gul, an unlikely hero with the bat against South Africa with a power-packed 32 off 17 balls, acknowledged that there will be pressure on both sides.
“When we play India, there is lot of pressure because our people always want us to win,” said Gul. “The same is the case in India, so there will be pressure on both teams. Anything can happen. We will give it our best shot. India is a very good team, but we know each other’s strong and weak points. In T20, it depends on how a team plays on that day.”
India has never won a Super Eights match
India, winners of the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, failed to win even one Super Eights game in the next two editions, in England in 2009 and the Caribbean in 2010. Skipper Dhoni, however, put a positive spin on his team’s do-or-die scenario ahead of the sold-out game at the 35,000-capacity Premadasa Stadium.
“It is always good to be in a situation where you have to win every game,” said Dhoni. “There is no scope for complacency and that is a good thing. You have to be at your best throughout. Hopefully we can go out and express ourselves without worrying too much about the result.”
M Hafeez
“Everyone is looking forward to the match. That victory in the warm-up game has been a morale booster, and we are upbeat and raring to go against India.”
MS Dhoni
“There is no scope for complacency and that’s a good thing. You’ve to be at your best throughout. Hopefully we can express ourselves without worrying about the result.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2012.
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this win was for u afghani brothers............
@Waziristani: Thanks a lot, hope peace comes back to your region soon.
Too much belief on Inshallah and the power of Inshallah .. Inshallah India won the match...The secret is not inshallah ....Its Dimag!!! ..
lol
Well played Pakistan...
Subhan Allaha..
MashaALLAH ... INDIA has won the the match...
India won............BRAVO LIONS....
Congratulation India won the match.
Hope history repeats itself since India is out of form and Pakistan is on the roll.
goosebumps exceitment cannotworkatoffice
I am telling Pakistanis again. Don't say Inshahallah. Pakistan will lose.
I think techniques will play secondary role today..This game is the game of emotions and confidence.......Pakistan team should play from the core of their heart.....the prayers of 18 crore people are with you....Good luck team pakistan Q k hum mein ha jeet ki lagan............................
inshallah pakistan do will win the mathch..........
iA Pakistan will be lucky tonight:)
@hmmmm: We are gonna change the history this time.... and it seems you lost it b4 the match get started...:)
history is made to be changed...let's see........@hmmmm:
history will be changed tonight and afridi will also be back in progress........INSHALLAH
@hmmm : Also india lost consecutively 7th time in their super eight round, lets see it they are eighth time lucky...............
For God sake this time play for Pakistan not for money...
The Indian Cricket Board - BCCI - Board of Cool Cricket of India has thoroughly prepared it's players. Hope the work pays off.
hundreds of people dead in the floods, millions dispaced from their homes. help is required in whatever way we can.
cricket is not that important.
Pakistan has not lost any match in this competition. As per law of averages, Pakistan will loose at least once in this competition. India are more hungry.
Inshallah azowajjal with the help of Allah Pakistan will win
INSHALLHA PAKIS WILL WIN.....OUR PRAYERS WITH GREEN SHIRTS.
@Cacha Cricket: how about on world stage...???? can u do it...????????? cricket aint gonna feed u ...
Pakistan will trash india..
come on GREEN SHIRTS...... our prayers are with u... go get them tigers :)