Subcontinental heavyweights face-off in the 1st semi-final

The minnows have bundled out, the super eights with all the drama concerning the net run rate is over and now we are into the knockout stage (semi finals) of the 2012 T20 World Cup. The emotions would be running high and the stakes are even higher. Pakistan take on the hosts Sri Lanka in the first semi final, where the two subcontinent giants would be rearing to achieve sub continental supremacy. It is more a match of equals, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka both having pulled off massive wins in their last Super Eight games against Australia and England respectively.

Sri Lanka haven’t played a single match at Colombo in this World Cup and will have to assess and adjust to the wicket. They will be weary of an inconsistent Pakistan who have been in such situations before and have come out on top on most occasions. Sri Lanka too are in familiar territory as they have reached their 4th semi final in last 5 ICC tournaments. The home crowd should act as a 12th man for the hosts and would give them that additional motivation and boost required in order to reach the finals.

Both the teams rely heavily on their bowling but will have to use their spinners wisely this time as both sides are adept at playing spin. The way the batsmen fare should decide the outcome of the game. Pakistan have this uncanny knack of raising their game and intensity in pressure games. Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Malinga have struck form and would look to showcase their scintillating skills on Thursday. Pakistan would have taken great confidence from Jamshed’s innings against Australia. Ajmal, Hafeez and the rookie Hasan have been good and would need to just raise their game on the big day.

Cometh the big day, cometh the man. Big games tend to bring out the best out of some players and they have the potential to win it for their country all by themselves. Here are some of the players to watch out for

Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga

Hasn’t been in top notch form in the tournament so far but still got a 5 wicket haul against the English in their last super eight match. Sri Lanka are aware that Pakistanis are good players of spin and would like to unleash their slinger to rattle the Pakistan batsman. His death bowling is second to none and with those toe crushers unleashed, no batsman would like to take him on. Sri Lanka would hope that he continues the good work from last match into the semis and runs through the shaky Pakistan middle order.

Ajantha Mendis

The wily off spinner, oh sorry, mystery spinner has had a mixed bag tournament. One good match followed by a shocker, that has been his story in this World Cup. Sri Lanka would want him to get his confidence back after a dismal performance in the last game. His performances have shown that he is a match winner and would hope to bring out his best in the semis. Pakistan would like to take the attack to him and not let him settle or else he could dominate the batting line up.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

One of the most destructive openers that the game has seen, his fierce shot making and clever innovative skills have earned him accolades all over the world. In a knockout game, getting off to a flyer at the start would release the pressure somewhat for the hosts and that should be Dilshan’s main job.

Pakistan

Saeed Ajmal

Pakistan’s trump card. Arguably the best T20 spinner, he should prove to be a thorn in Lanka’s bid to reach the final. Pakistan have used him wisely so far but he hasn’t quite taken the tournament by storm. Sri Lankan batsman are pretty good players of spin but his variations can trouble the best in the business. Pakistan would want his 4 overs to create jitters in the opposition camp.

Umar Akmal

His batting position does not do justice to his talent. A player of his class coming in at no.6 simply astonishes me. Pakistan need to promote him up the order in order to make full use of his skills. Teams need to realize that their best batsman should face the highest number of balls in this shortest format. When all other batsman were falling like nine pins against South African, he held his composure, remained calm and took his team to victory. He is an impact player and will come to the party in a crucial encounter.

Mohammad Hafeez

Highly impressive with the ball but nowhere near his best with the bat. He has led the side well but just needs to find his feat with the bat at the top of the order. He can play the sheet anchor role at the top and once he gets his eye in, he is sure to play the full 20 overs. His bowling has been excellent, bowling upfront in the powerplay and still keeping the economy less than 6 is commendable in this format.

Head to head

Pakistan enjoy a 6-3 advantage over the Lankans

Prediction

Too tough to call. Sri Lanka enjoy the home advantage but Pakistan’s unpredictability sometimes proves to be their strongest weapon. On current form, Sri Lanka should just edge past them.