Rain affects build-up to first ODI M
After drawn Twenty20 series, India and Pakistan go head-to-head in 50-over format.
Pakistan last played India in ODIs in the Asia Cup in March this year. While a Kohli masterclass helped India win that match, Pakistan went on to lift the trophy. PHOTO: FILE AFP
After the culmination of a closely-matched Twenty20 series that ended 1-1, Pakistan and India are now set to face each other in their first One-Day International (ODI) at Chennai today.
The much anticipated opening day of the series is beset by weather concerns as the Met office predicted light to heavy showers today. However, the forecast hardly puts a damper on the spectators’ eagerness to witness an action-packed match similar to the T20 series.
One of the major changes that Pakistan will experience is the placement of Misbahul Haq as skipper in place of Mohammad Hafeez, while the latter is expected to play alongside opener Nasir Jamshed. Hafeez developed a reputation for calmness in the face of pressure in the recently concluded series and is likely to live up to expectations. Younus Khan will return to the batting line-up and would probably be included in the middle-order. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and Asad Ali are expected to return home after the T20 series.
Pakistan have a definite edge in bowling over their opponents with in-form Umar Gul leading the pace-attack. Although Saeed Ajmal was unable to make a mark in the last match, the spinner-friendly Chidambaram Stadium may offer the off-spinner a chance to display his full potential.
“Even before the series we were banking on our pacers to put pressure on the Indian batsmen”, said Misbah. “They succeeded in doing this in the first T20. I hope they continue in the same spirit and rhythm for the One-Day series as well.”
For India, this will be the first time for the team to play an ODI on home-ground this year. MS Dhoni still possesses the captain’s arm-band and India boast reliable all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as a part of their playing-XI. Veteran batsman Virender Sehwag, who was omitted from the T20 squad, will make a comeback and resume his spot as opener. Sehwag has lately been out of form and will need to improve his performance considerably.
Meanwhile, in the bowling department, new addition Bhuvneshwar Kumar may be handed an ODI cap for his exemplary play in the T20 series. Ishant Sharma will lead the pace-attack along with Kumar and Ashok Dinda whose death-overs heroics made him a hero in the last match.
Irfan, Malik retained for ODIs
According to a statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board, fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan and all-rounder Shoaib Malik would remain in India for the ODIs.
Both cricketer’s impressive performance in the T20 series against India led to the decision of making them a part of the ODI squad.
“These two players will now also be part of the one-day squad in India,” said the statement.
Hafeez moves up to career-best 19th
Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez moved up a place to 19th in the ICC T20I Player Rankings for batsmen after his 116-knock against India in the two-match T20 series with a best-ever ratings of 594.
Second-placed Hafeez also achieved his career-best ratings of 377 as an all-rounder in the same series.
Meanwhile, India’s Virat Kohli jumped five places to a career-best fifth in the batting table with his career-best ratings of 731.
Teammate Yuvraj Singh has climbed six places to 13th in the same department. He retained the third spot in the all-rounders’ table but his ratings points increased to career-best 377.
On the team ranking’s table, Pakistan moved down to the sixth position after the series wrap-up while India climbed to the third place after the second T20.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2012.