sir,salam,very nice column.i read ur articles and the thing i like the most is ur adherence to the neutral point of view rather than taking sides.salam.waqar.

One of the best analysis I have read of this impending clash between India and Pakistan. Balanced and sensible.

It would be a match of bowling against batting.

In terms of bowling: Pakistan's top 6 bowlers (including saeed ajmal) has lower economy rate than india's top bowler's economy rate (Bhajji 4.43 and Zaheer 4.47) in this world cup.

In terms of Batting: 5 Indian's batsmen have score more runs than top Pakistan's batsmen (Umar 211) in this world cup

Anxiouly waiting for an exciting match!!!!

Hi Saad, I accept that Pakistan's win against WI was bigger than India but India won by 5 wickets whereas Pakistan won by 4 wickets that too chasing a small total (176 vs 260). Howvever, I do agree that it is going to be a fascinating contest between Pakistan bowlers and Indian batsman. Hope the better team wins

Excellent areticle! Keep it up Shafqat!!.

Very well written Dr. Shafqat!

The team that holds on to its nerves would prevail.... I doubt if all this media hype is doing any good to India.. I think it would boil down to Indian batting making the difference... bowling would more or less concede 260-270 any how

Thx for a nice post, i m realy tense over here too,
I would't mind if pakistan loose the match as the worst but it should be like the champions after all 1 team to have loose

I think you have a short memory. India and Pakistan played smefinal in 2003 at Southafrica, which India won.

Very good analysis captured in your article. I agree with you on India having an upper edge on this match against Pakistan. Pakistani top scorer in this tournament comes just below Indian 5th top order. In fact even if Indian team won against Pakistan it wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary, they have done that before many times. Having a strong bowling attack can’t save Pakistani team if their performance in Batting is very weak. Against Aussie, it was difficult for Pak batsmen to achieve such small score. The odds are in Indian favor, but on the other hand Pakistani team has nothing to lose, as a fellow Pakistani; I do realize that Indian team is much stronger compare to Pakistan. No matter how much we say that we will beat India but in reality it’s quite difficult. May the best team win, and off course I will surely cheer for my boyss.

Saad, always enjoy your writing and how you capture the moment, the sentiment

Like the way you have presented the case...the fever has caught on and I am praying that we have a nail biter and not a lopsided affair. The war in the cyber space has produced some excellent exchanges but some nasties too but I guess thats the fun element of all India-Pak encounters. May the best team win.

I frankly want a four match test series between India and Pakistan just like The Ashes.

All this hype is non-sense if you ask me. Let Cricket be a sport not a war. Both nations need to tone down the nationalist ferver and act responsibly. All this unease may indicate deep rooted mistrust and hatred of each other. Come on people it is just a game.

"A cardiologist friend of mine says the stress of unblocking coronary arteries in the middle of someone's heart attack is nothing compared with the anxiety he is feeling in the build-up to Mohali. A neurosurgeon friend, whose professional work requires opening skulls to repair diseased brains, made a similar observation. Even people who’ve never paid much attention to cricket are reporting butterflies in the stomach."

I can sympathise with this completely! I'm a medical student with finals in less than a month, yet all I can think about is this epic clash tomorrow!

Excellent work Saad...
Today, I read three of the best articles on cricinfo: the other two from Osman and Shardha.

While I get the point you are trying to make about relative batting prowess vs. batting prowess of the two brotherly nations, yet I consider it a grave injustice to ignore likes of Kapil Dev - most wickets in history of Test for some time, Anil Kumble's record of wickets and match wilnning performances; Hanif Mohammed - first little Master of the continent with 970-minute 337* in Bridgetown in 1957-58, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad...

Good Article and analysis of both teams strengths done in good style. However, in my opinion the match will depend on the weaknesses of both the teams i.e. Batting for Pakistan and Bowling for India. The team who does well with its weakness will win the match.

me tto having a swarm of butterflies in my stomach... i hope i dont have an heart attack...

Huge!! Can't Wait!!

This is a very well written article. The point is that leading cardiologists and neuro surgeons are so short of real excitement in real lives that an Indo=Pak match is the best way to Katharsis ( purgation of emotions) as in this suffocation surroundings there are no emotional outlets.
Both teams are quoting history, stats, and performances but remember that cricket is by chance. The one who grabs the chances will win even the Greek and Roman gods may find it difficult to suggest a winner before the last ball is bowled and tdhat the beauty of cricket

Pakistan has agression and India has technique, capability and manpower well behaved to tackle pace.

My neices were born and brought up abroad and although they do wear shalwar kameez at weddings and other desi gatherings, over the years what has annoyed me is their disassociation to the homeland i love although i have also lived here in the states for last 11 years. Everytime there would be a game my neices would be like "Mamoon, it is just a game". Last night one of them called me and said "she will be fasting in order for Pakistan to win". Her younger sister made fun of her and she simply replied "you cried when celtics (although she doesn't even know a thing about basket ball) lost last year and that was just celtics, this is Pakistan". Today i realized after all its not just a game. No matter what happesn during this game but it has brought a lot of Pakistanis together. Long live the greatest country. May both countries live in peace and prosperity.

Whatever people might say about Pakistan but for they r more mentally strong thn indians just coz wha they hve been through in last 7/8 months and leaving out 5/6 its main players in written it might sound nuthing but to a team n its supporters go thrugh hell like ths and hn reach into the final shws beleve n mental strenght of a THE TEAM and its Supporters......Gud Luck Pakistan "

A great article and an excellent comparison of each team's win in this world cup. Hope the best team wins. If Pakistan doesn't win, fans should not get emotional and start thrashing the player's or their homes. After all it is a game, and Afridi delivered what he said before the tournament began.

There is nothing called underdogs in cricket. On their day any team can beat any one. Refer to how both these teams got creamed in 2007 WC. As you said, the game will be won or lost in the head.

The statistics used to show that this is a contest between Indian batting and Pakistani bowling are slightly misleading without mentioning the important point that India has played its matches on largely high-scoring batting pitches and Pakistan its on largely low-scoring bowling pitches.

I actually don't think India's bowling is much behind Pakistan's on paper, and similarly Pakistan's batting is not much behind India's.

Hence, as Saad says, this one will be won in the mind.

Meanwhile, I'm not sure I like the tendency to paint Pakistani cricket as some sort of 'victim': "kicked", "punched", "spat". Any rational person would agree that, after what happened at Lahore, cricket in Pakistan was going to stop for a while. I don't think any country wants to deliberately hurt Pakistani cricket.

India became a nation of great batsmen while Pakistan became a nation of great bowlers. How and why this happened is a mystery, is not a mystery. In India, Cricket is a popular urban sport whereas in Pakistan it is the only sport played even in the rural areas. Popular areas produce good batsmen but genuine bowling talents usually come from rural.

Well, a great article. of course this match means a lot to both the teams in fact to both the nations.PM of Pakistan has just announced a public half day holiday in Pakistan too and my friends in India are looking for the excuses to make to their employers so they could watch this match. Who so ever win but this this match as an ordinary match. Both the teams are really good but only one has to win so in case if your side loses the match, please don't take that seriously. This is a request from the people of Pakistan and India.

very decent analysis of the semi final..but the stats that have been mentioned are a result of the venues..had pakistan played more matches in india they would have had more runs under their belt and vice verse...

Nice article. Not bias to anyone. Had fun reading

Why do I feel...one team is going to cave in because of pressure and all the audience will be left wondering at 6pm on 30th March..."what the heck happened to all the hype"...:)

It will be really a tight match, but ofcourse India is gonna crush the Pakistan by the batting skills and Zaheer khan will take out atleast 3.

An awesome article Sir, hats off! It really doesn't get any bigger...

I predict Pakistan going into the Finals with Sri Lanka

I wonder where is Parveen Kumar??? He was selected for the 15 member world cup squad but then was replaced by Sreesanth due to an injured elbow. But he should be fit by now since it has been more than 3 months when he got injured before the start of the one-day series in South Africa. I think everyone has forgotten him, he has been the leading wicket taker for India in the he past couple of years. Why not bring him back to support Zaheer Khan and strengthen the fast bowling attack, which is the only weakness in this Indian team.

I really believe that the pakistan team that comes out on the field against India will be way to strong both in terms of skill and mental strenth. The spinners will take care of the indian batting line up and the pak batsmen will just about do enough to cross the winning line. What my parting line to all pak fans will be sit back and enjoy the ride as we will surely be victorious inshallah

Great article. Completely showing how this match is hanging evenly across the border yet India are favorites due to history. As an avid cricket follower and an even more avid Pakistani fan, I would always hope for a Pakistani win at the end of the day. But I would ask for nothing other than Pakistan playing their hearts out to win over the opponent's respect even if they lose.
InshaAllah Pakistan can do it.

interesting article... again focussing on the age-old discussion about India's batting pitted against the opponents bowling.. of course in case of Pakistan, its always been their bowling... but right through the article and many more on this topic, it seems India's victory has been taken for granted to a certain extent... Pakistan is at their frightening best when they are not counted for.. so beware.. rest assured we have a killer on our hands.. May the "better ranked team in the ICC rankings" win.. :)

Butterflies in stomach!? I have them in brain, lungs, intestines, Liver and everywhere.. I want this Wednesday to come, and go. So i can start preparing for my exam on Monday. Keep thinking about the match & going through cricinfo with books open on the table !!

India should win

PAKISTAN WILL WIN

I live more than 10,000 miles from the subcontinent where the hype I assume is too surreal but even here in US everyone who even have a slight affiliation with the two respective countries are talking about this epic encounter. May the best team that performs well in the field win tomorrow – I hope that to be the Pakistan Team.

Great article, being underdog is alright as we all know what this Pakistan team is capable off. Lets hope to have a great contest and may the team that works harder then the other win. Good luck to both teams.

This world cup has now rightly turned into Asia cup. Regardless of outcome of tomorrows match a large number of non Asian fans maintain their interest in the cup only because Pakistan is still there. For one my team is gone home but Im following the remaining games supporting Pakistan team which deserves much more appreciation than it is getting from ICC these days.

"The Match"
What a moment !
Despite being “JUST A CRICKET MATCH”, I doubt if the cric. fans of sub-continent will ever experience anything of this magnitude in their life time again !
The euphoria/hype generated by electronic & print media is emotionally overwhelming.
Billions of fans are buzzing, the atmosphere is electric - amazing feeling !
Team Pakistan is in “DEVASTATING FORM” and lets hope that Indian team live up to their fan’s expections and try best to make match of it – at least.
Added spice is that even the GODS are smiling ( Its raining in Mohali ) !!!

Jawed, Karachi

Dr. Sahab very well put.
It is just so much more than cricket, so it just doesn't get better!
Am confused, whether to go to my event being held in Expo Centre tomorrow or go out with friends and enjoy the andrenaline rush!

Good luck Pakistani Eagles!

Great article. Wish team Pakistan all the best.

great article!

This game should have been played at a neutral venue like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. A home match is a clear advantage to India.

amazing article! a really good read, as well as thoughtful analysis

It will be an extremely important match. Can't wait to watch it! Common India make it 5-0

I think the favorite tag for India is not justified. They may have a better batting line but when its about playing only 50 overs than Pakistan has enough fire power to match them. Even there is no century from Pakistan side, it will be enough if 3 of them make half centuries. If Razzaq or Afridi fire then India can already say goodbye to it. I believe in the old saying that bowling wins matches. I hope Kamran has a better day tomorrow.

Both indians and pakistanis have anticipated that both teams will face each other. What makes this a fierce competetion is neither the people nor the teams want to loose this match to one another. If both teams cross 300+, I guess both are winners. Good luck teams.

A very sensible write up. The fans on both sides are very tense and anxious and, sometimes, this leads them to become abusive. And that is really sad. After all, it is just a game and the better side on the given day will win. As for myself, I have the greatest respect for Pakistani side. They are a formidable side to play against.

I am sure many Indians join me in assuring you that Pakistanis are our friends and brothers/sisters; we harbour no ill will against the people of Pakistan, whichever way the game goes.

5.22 am in karachi,butterflies in tummy,no sleep,the longest night of my life so far,have read all the articles seen all the hype and cannot belive its still 8 hours away...may the best team win.

Fantastic contest between two long term rivals. Despite the `play down' by both captains, this game is of mammoth proportions and will set the stage for the final too. The winner of this contest will go ahead to lift the world cup. In the end, `Captain COOOOOL - Dhoni' and his troops will prevail. I truly hope this will be a fantastic contest. Expect India to bat first, put a score in excess of 350 on the board and skittle the Pakistans, out for under 200. GO INDIA - JAI HIND !

A well written article by a cricketer turned doctor.
Purgation of emotions is a natural phenomena. Such matches provide a chance to people to release their unspent emotions.Cardiologist or neuro surgeons are also human and thus they feel butterflies in their tummies. Operating patients is the norm for them therefore that is stress free.The large number of medical consultants stealing time to catch up with the latest score does indicate their source of stress. It is not the patient but the fear of unknown. Who will win?
National feelings, biased attitudes do not influence the outcome of a match but what matters is how you perform. So let us give an excellent performance and success is not far away! Good luck to both the teams

Great article. Would like to see a post-match piece from this writer :-)

Agree with you...India looks favorate but Pakistan will break the history again as they did by beating the Mighty Austrilians thus Pakistan win in this match will also break India 4-0 record in worldcup matches. InshAllah

my brother is the attorney general from trinidad annand ramlogan and he love to see a good fight.he wants me to chant and not be in maya. I back india all the way. i am a hare krsna devotee but got to see this match sorry lord krsna.

A great insight from Dr. Saad Shafqat who himself is neuro doctor, and has correctly identified the sub continental symptoms :)

A great insight from Dr. Saad Shafqat who himself is neuro doctor, and has correctly identified the sub continental symptoms :)

greatest matchup ever in cricketing world's history,even the final match will not bring the excitement this semi-final has already brought and at match time ------- can't even imagine!GOOD LUCK to both,may the best win.

Pakistan have the 51-49 edge as they posess a far more lethal pace attack in a tournament where the bowling has been a more influencing factor than the batting.Pakistan also has superior mental strength and killer instinct and the Mohali wicket will suit them more than India.The Mohali pitch will aid the seamers more than the spinners which would assist Pakistan .India has the best of batting line ups but lacks and effective bowling combination.I would back Paksiatn to chase a 300+ total with their agressive batsman.Above all Pakistan is the ultimate team to play as 'tigers' when labelled 'dark horses.'

pakistan's end in the world cup 2011 saga.....

liked 2nd last para

I have to admit it. Pakistan is sending shivers down my spinal cord. They will take the cup and we'll be left with memories only!!!

A skillful piece of writing Dr. Shafqat. You make us, all the AKU alumni, very proud :)

A cardiologist and neurosurgeon amongst your friends!!pity the poor journo who has to resort to name dropping!1 try to get some normal friends where they say "my journalist" friend...

Boy that raelly helps me the heck out.