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Download PDF After eleven days of absorbing cricket, India and Pakistan face the strong Oceanic contingent of Australia and New Zealand in two semifinals of the ICC Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa today.
In the first semifinal, to be played from 5pm Bangladesh Standard Time (BST), volatile Pakistan take on New Zealand at the picturesque Newlands ground in Cape Town while in Durban at 10pm BST, India face Australia. Both sub-continent giants would look to breathe life into a year full of controversies and move into the final. Both matches will be telecast live on ESPN.
But the more mouth-watering contest is in Durban where India, riding high after two top-class performances against England and South Africa, take on Australia, world champions in all forms of the game, but showing unusual signs of susceptibility in the Twenty20 format.
India have the advantage of being familiar with the conditions as they have played three times under the Kingsmead lights and will know to a large extent what to expect from the pitch and the conditions. Australia, on the other hand, have never played in Durban during this tournament, and only one of their five games have been a late start.
India captain Mahendra Singh and stylish batsman Yuvraj Singh have assured that they are fit for the semifinal. Dhoni struggled with a back strain in their superb win over South Africa on Thursday night while Yuvraj missed the tie due to tendonitis. Australia have also suffered injury blows in the form of captain Ricky Ponting and all-rounder Shane Watson, both having been ruled out of the tournament with hamstring injuries.
The first semifinal though will be a battle of will as an unpredictable Pakistan side always springs a surprise or two. One of them has been Misbahul Haq who, at the age of 33, has surprised all by starring in the tournament. A victory for Pakistan would probably hinge on Shahid Afridi’s performance in the match as he has shone with bat and ball.
For New Zealand, it will be skipper Daniel Vettori who will have to lead from the front. Batting would revolve around Craig McMillan and big-hitting all-rounder Jacob Oram, although the latter has a finger injury.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will return home from Cape Town tomorrow.
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