Who would Pakistan prefer playing in the Asia Cup final?

As we all know that Pakistan have already qualified for the final of the 2012 Asia Cup having beaten Srilanka and Bangladesh in the group stages. However, the Green Shirts lost to India which means that the world champions are still in with a chance of playing
the final against their arch rivals.

On the other hand, Srilanka are out of the Asia Cup but their last league game against Bangladesh which is being played today (Tuesday, March 20) is of utmost importance to the Bengal Tigers. Even a one-wicket win would push them into the final at the expense
of India.

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs in their opening game of the Asia Cup but it was their bowling which did the trick after an incredible collapse in the middle. An opening stand of 135 runs between Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez was the only shining
point with the bat in that game for Pakistan.

Bangladesh could have gone on to win that game had Nasir Hossain not been cleaned up by Umar Gull when he was in the middle of a terrific stand with Shakib Al Hasan. After that, Saeed Ajmal and Gull carved through the Bangladesh’s tail and enable Pakistan
a win.

The Green Shirts than easily defeated Srilanka by seven wickets to advance into the finals before a marquee clash with India. It became a must-win game for India as they surprisingly lost to Bangladesh in the league game.

Pakistan batting prospered against the depleted looking Indian attack but their bowling failed miserably in front of superior Indian batting. Even a score of 329 could not be defended which means that Pakistan might once again find hard to control the flow
of runs if they are to face India in the finals.

However, it is believed, that the Pakis must be determined to avenge their loss to India and hoping to slaughter them in the finals. In case, Bangladesh paves their way into the final by beating Srilanka, the home side will stand a decent chance of winning
the game.

Bengalis will be buoyed by the fact that they were able to put a spirited show against Pakistan, defeated India and Srilanka (in case they beat them to reach the finals) and the support from the home crowd. With everything going in the homeside’s favour,
they will definitely be the favourites to beat Pakistan in the final keeping in mind the Green Shirt’s inconsistent middle order.

Pakis will be upbeat if they take on India in the finals and their determination to beat them in the final could induce a new spark in the playing XI. Therefore, Misbah-ul-Haq’s troops would prefer taking on India in the final rather meeting the home side.
 

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Posted by Taha Habib on Mar 20 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry