India vs Pakistan: Weaknesses that may hold the teams back

The first encounter of the Super 10s holds a lot for cricket fans all over the world. It is going to be one of the most sought-after contests happening as India and Pakistan are up against each other as they play their first games in this edition of the World Cup. Hafeez says that he has been waiting for this moment and does not want to devote any mind-space to their poor record against India at World Cups, while Dhoni has remarked in his usual calm way of putting things that even though the players are pumped up, it is not because of the rivalry between the nations but because of the occasion.It is expected to be a thriller as all Indo-Pak matches usually are. Both teams have their strong and weak points. Here are some factors that each team may have to work upon, otherwise the other might just get the advantage that could ultimately have a say in deciding the game.

#6 Pace attack

India have new names when it comes to pace bowling, and they might just not match up to what is expected at the World Cup stage. Mohammed Shami has sure shown promise and for that matter even Varun Aaron can generate some real pace, but these players are still raw in the international arena and many are contesting in a World Cup for the first time. Mohit Sharma’s inclusion in the playing XI will require some serious thought. This is where India will have to rely more on its slower bowlers who have had more experience in the international arena and have been successful in the past.

Pakistan are way ahead in this regard, with names like Umar Gul, SohailTanveer, Junaid Khan and new names in Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Talha who have shown some real promise. Pakistan usually has one of the best pool of fast bowlers in the world – this has been noted for so many years. This time it is no different, and they might just run away with the goods of they decide to click simultaneously. They have the potential to make a mockery of any batting line-up, and this is area is one where India will have to put in some serious thought and work and step up as soon as possible.

#5 Chasing capabilities

This has been an issue with Pakistan. They haven’t chased targets successfully in the past. It requires some good hitters in the middle order, which they lack. If Afridi decides to go all guns blazing (as against India he usually does), they will appear invincible. But if he fails, there is nobody who can give the impulse to the scoring rate in the final overs, something which is very crucial in the T20 format. They are very heavily dependent on their top order to get them the runs.

India are certainly ahead in this regard. They have great finishers in Yuvraj, Dhoni, Raina and even Jadeja who can strike some blows with his willow towards the end if needed. That is the reason Indians are so comfortable chasing given that they have wickets in hand. Then no target is big enough. Pakistan will have to hide this shortcoming by giving away less runs if they are bowling first.

#4 Match Practice

Pakistan has played more T20 games than any other nation (78), and had a good run in 2013 as well where they won 8 out of the 12 T20s that they played. India on the other hand, played just the one T20 in 2013. Sure, the Indians do have the IPL as a means to play T20 cricket, but they haven’t played much as a national unit much in the recent past, which Pakistan have. The IPL can’t be compared to international T20s at all – the level of competition is higher and also they don’t get to practice as the Indian team when they take part in the IPL.

Pakistan are way ahead in this regard and will surely have their team combinations all tested and set for the T20 format. India, on the other hand, is trying new players and combinations, and to get it right on the first go is going to be a trying task. Pakistan have at least reached the semi-finals of every T20 World tournament so far, which shows how good they are at it. India will really have to think smartly and choose players for each game depending on how their opponent looks and the conditions are.

#3 Batting personnel

Pakistan’s batting is a big concern. Misbah, their best batsman, is not playing the tournament. Sure, Afridi will come up with his ‘Boom Boom’ and revive his team on occasions, but he can’t do it every time. Skipper Hafeez, Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik will be expected to step up and score the runs for them. However, there is a good chance they may not click, and given the fact that they don’t bat very deep, they could struggle to post a big total on the board or chase down one.

The vulnerability of their batting line-up was very clear in the practice match against South Africa, where they were all out for 71 and lost the game by 8 wickets. Their bowling department does have some world class names in Umar Gul, SohailTanveerand Saeed Ajmal and great talent in Junaid Khan and Mohammad Talha, which can scare the wits out of any batting order, but their batting could certainly use more and better names. They are clearly at a disadvantage here as compared to the Indians who have a huge list in Dhawan, Sharma, Kohli, Yuvraj, Raina, Dhoni, Rahane and even a couple of bowlers like Jadeja and Ashwin who can bat.

#2 Recent poor run of form

This is something which India has to improve upon, and possibly leave behind them. MS Dhoni has not had the best phase as captain the last few months. India have lost tournaments in South Africa and New Zealand, and even at home. They couldn’t do anything special in the Asia Cup either when ViratKohli led them. Pakistan on the other hand were runners-ups.

This means that their confidence also will not be at the highest levels. They have to really forget the recent form they have carried and start completely afresh in the series if they are to go far in the tournament, otherwise they may end up exiting very cheaply.

#1 Team balance

Pakistan may face this problem. They don’t have specialist all-rounders in their side. They do have some good names in both batting and bowling departments, but as far as all-rounders go, they don’t have much to show. India, on the other hand, have competent people in Yuvraj Singh, RavindraJadeja and Stuart Binny. It will not be a surprise if all three are picked for today’s game, given the fact that two of them are spinners and would prove very handy in these conditions. Having them proves to be very handy because if they fail in one department, they can at least return and contribute in the other, something which is not possible if you have only specialist bowlers or batsmen in your line-up.

Sure, Shoaib Malik and Hafeez can bowl and SohailTanvir can bat, but they may not be of much use if the regulars themselves are not able to fire. India have that advantage – Yuvraj has a knack of picking wickets, even though his primary role will be that of a batsman, and Jadeja can score some runs if required, even though he is primarily there to get wickets. Both of them have been particularly successful in T20 cricket for India (Yuvraj has 4 Man of the Match awards in the six most recent T20 games for India) and give the team a much necessary balance of both bat and ball skills, something which is not there with Pakistan.