It is time for that match-up again. Debates on the viability of the ODI game can take a backseat for a day - when India faces Pakistan, the format is irrelevant. The reasonably long interval since their last game - in the Champions Trophy in September last year - has only increased the pre-match buzz. It is safe to say millions around the world will be tuning in.

Coming as it does at the midway point of the tournament, the game will decide the course of the Asia Cup. Pakistan impressed during their opening game against Sri Lanka, but could not finish it off. Another defeat could end their campaign early.


Their problem lies in the batting department - specifically the out-of-depth youngsters at the top. Shahzaib Hasan and Umar Amin were bullied by sharp seam bowling, and ended up consuming too many balls before getting out. Shahid Afridi will have to re-think the batting line-up, and possibly promote Kamran Akmal against the new ball. The Pakistan captain must be gutted that one of his best knocks failed to secure victory. Can he inspire himself to another classic? Can Shoaib Akhtar overcome his sub-par fitness and produce ten high-intensity overs?

India's opening game panned out in a manner diametrically opposite to Pakistan's - they were average, yet won easily thanks to Bangladesh's largesse. India's bowlers looked alarmingly flat, the fielding was lethargic and the top order struggled to deal with rustiness and the unusual floodlights. The new-ball bowlers handed the Bangladesh opening pair the initiative on a platter, and sides better than Bangladesh would have never let go of it.

Having been rescued by a freakish spell of offspin from Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni will want more from his frontline bowlers this time around. He will not read much into the failures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during the chase - the young top order's real test will be against Shoaib and co., who will try to bounce them out.

A win here will put India in final, while a defeat could leave them facing a tricky perform-or-perish game against the hosts. Given their recent travails in similar situations against Sri Lanka - in the World Twenty20 and in the Zimbabwe tri-series - they will be anxious to avoid a pressure game against their bugbears.

eam news
Ashish Nehra struggled with his fitness in the first game and is a doubtful starter against Pakistan. A final decision will be taken on Saturday morning, and if required, Ashok Dinda should replace him.
India (likely) 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautham Gambhir, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Praveen Kumar, 10 Zaheer Khan, 11 Ashish Nehra/Ashok Dinda

Following the struggles of Shahzaib and Amin at the top, Imran Farhat can expect a recall. Shoaib's fitness issues will also be a talking point in the Pakistan dressing room.

Pakistan (likely) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Shahzaib Hasan/Imran Farhat, 3 Umar Amin, 4 Shahid Afridi (capt), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Kamran Akmal(wk), 8 Abdul Razzaq, 9 Shoaib Akhtar, 10 Mohammad Asif, 11 Mohammad Aamer

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