DUBAI, Saturday – The ease with which India beat Bangladesh in Dubai and the electric finish provided to the contest between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in the first round of the Asia Cup Super 4 has certainly set up an enthralling contest between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium for today where the winner can be assured of a place in the grand final scheduled for September 28.
Pakistan who lost the group match to India rather tamely by eight wickets after scoring a mere 162 bounced back in their game against the fast rising Afghans to pull off a last over win by three wickets with three balls to spare to give Sunday’s contest a meaningful look.
No doubt Pakistan was stretched to the limit by Afghanistan and it was only their experience that saw them come through. In the meanwhile, India are playing a brand of cricket that makes them look invincible.
After a stuttering start to the tournament against minnows Hong Kong, they have beaten Test sides Pakistan and Bangladesh with nonchalant ease, but Pakistan’s brilliant fightback against Afghanistan promises to give Sunday’s contest a blockbuster effect with a full house expected to turn up.
With bilateral ties between the two great Asian rivals very unlikely to take place in the near future it is on a stage like the Asia Cup, or ICC conducted tournaments such as the World Cup, World T20 or the Champions Trophy that India and Pakistan get the opportunity to display their rivalry.
The ongoing Asia Cup provides a rare stage of these two passionate countries meeting each other on a rare three occasions if they make it to the final. India won the first round and the second game scheduled for Sunday promises a tight contest if Pakistan can produce the form and fight they displayed against Afghanistan.
India’s Player of the Match in their win against Bangladesh, Ravindra Jadeja said: “Playing for India is a matter of great pride for any player, whether it is playing against Pakistan or any other country. An India-Pakistan match is always something that all cricket fans look forward to. I hope it will be a good match. Pakistan is playing well and we are playing well too. I hope that this will be an exciting match for all those involved.”
While the main focus will be on the India-Pakistan game, on the same day Afghanistan and Bangladesh the two losing sides will play another crucial Super 4 match in Abu Dhabi. The result is important for both the teams as it will determine their fate in the rest of the tournament.
The way Afghanistan have been shaping up in the tournament it certainly won’t be a walk in the park for Bangladesh who have a fight on their hands for survival in the Asia Cup. They were dumped for 119 runs in the group match to lose it by a margin of 136 runs and the Afghans with their tails up have nothing to lose in their return contest.
The key to the Afghans success has been their three-prong spin attack headed by 20-year old spin prodigy Rashid Khan who plays an integral part in the side. He has not only shone with the ball but contributed with the bat as well thus showcasing his brilliant all-round talent. Complimenting Rashid’s deadly leg-breaks are off-spinners Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan came to this tournament with a question mark against their middle order batting. But in the three matches they have played so far they have produced totals of 249, 255/7 and 257/6 more than enough for their spinners to defend. Everything points out to two engrossing contests over the weekend.