India start as favourites against Pakistan

Pakistan has only to blame itself for being in a between-the-devil-and-the-deep-blue-sea situation in this World Cup. As Waqar Younis' men go into the crucial match against India, all they have to show are a string of poor performances. What's more, the momentum is with India; Sourav Ganguly's men have somehow regained their lost confidence and are peaking at just the right time. Pakistan, then, will have to play at a level they have not reached before in this World Cup to upset their great rivals at Centurion, as a loss will almost certainly end their dreams of winning the cherished Cup.

Having said that, there is another vexing question that comes to mind - how can the Pakistan skipper trust a batting line-up that keeps crashing like a pack of cards? It was not just a disappointing batting performance against England at Cape Town; it was disgusting to see the experienced batsmen disappear after making brief appearances in the middle.

Time is, then, running out for the Pakistan batsmen and possibly even for their cricket management. If they don't get their act together by the time they take on India, they are bound to draw a lot of flak.

Even against the Netherlands, the batting was least impressive despite the superb efforts of the Pakistan bowlers. However, it is not that they are incapable. Inzamam-ul-Haq, for instance, is one player who can actually counter anything that Sachin Tendulkar come up with. Inzamam has a lot more talent in him than he realises, though, sadly, his recent poor form has meant that even teams like Namibia and Holland did not have a problem in removing him.

None of the other batsman too seem to be at the top of their game. Saleem Elahi played good hands against Australia and Namibia, and I think he should bat high in the order. There were also glimpses of the Yousuf Youhana we all know about in the game against the Netherlands. Rashid Latif has been chipping in with some runs. But all said, it is worrying that the man whose primary reputation is that of being the fastest bowler in the world, Shoaib Akthar, heads the averages purley due to his never-say-die temperament!

Indeed, the Pakistan batting so far has been a disgrace. With India's seam bowlers attacking with a renewed enthusiasm after what Nehra and Co did to England, there is a serious danger of our batting falling woefully short of requirements.

There might be people who will try to explain it all away with the argument that it is all down to the fact that Pakistan cricket is riddled with politics. But I have been watching the body language of the boys over the last few games; they are indeed playing as a team. The communication within the side on the field looks spot on, and Pakistan should not be worrying about these peripheral issues. What they should rather be worrying about is getting their batsmen refocused on the job.

India's strength is their batting, and if they win the toss, in all probability they will decide to bat first. Pakistan's strength, in contrast, is their bowling and I expect Wasim, Shoaib and Waqar to be at their very best against India. If we can break the dangerous opening partnership of Tendulkar and Sehwag, then things get a bit easier. Wasim and Shoaib can give Sourav Ganguly a real work out, given the Indian skipper's distinct dislike for a short-pitched delivery. What they must ensure is that they have a clear plan for every Indian batsman, which they can put into practice.

There was a time in the past, when every time Pakistan took on India, we held the whiphand. Things have changed now and we are the underdogs going into Saturday's match. But we need to remind ourselved that this is a game that we just cannot afford to lose. If every player in the Pakistan XI digs deep inside and finds the inspiration and motivation required to beat India, then Pakistan stands a chance. It takes outstanding courage and determination to win a game against India, when the odds are stacked against you. One brilliant individual performance is all Pakistan needs to get fired up and get through.