How Pakistan can topple India
India start favourites today but Pakistan can wrest the initiative with positive, smart approach
NEWDELHI: For the first time in 10 years, India and Pakistan will face off in the finale of an ICC tournament. The Men in Blue haven’t had a great run in ODIs in the past two years, but their performance in the Champions Trophy has left them on the verge of becoming a record three-time winners at the Oval on Sunday.
On the other hand, Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan have played their best cricket so far in the tournament and the way they outclassed hosts and hot favourites England in the semifinals was a treat to watch.
But Pakistan will be up against a team that has done exceeding well in big tournaments, especially in the last seven years. Two trophies, one final and two semi-finals is not a bad record at all.
With Virat Kohli’s team ticking almost all boxes, can the mercurial Pakistan defy the odds and become the fourth team to win all three ICC trophies (50-over World Cup, World T20 and Champions Trophy)? Well, this is how they can:
CATCHES WIN MATCHES
If Pakistan didn’t have to grapple with the age-old problem of dropped catches, India wouldn’t have defeated them by 124 runs (D/L method) in their opener.
They had a chance to restrict the holders to around 270 but once Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli got life, they smashed close to 100 runs in the last six overs.
Had Pakistan fielders not dropped Sachin Tendulkar four times in the 2011 World Cup semifinals, the story could have been different. Let’s not forget Rahat Ali’s drop of Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup quarters.
Even on their best days with bat and ball, Pakistan have been poor in the field.
Every side in the world has improved its fielding in the past decade or so, but with Pakistan, there are accounts of endless dropped catches.
Pakistan’s South African coach, Mickey Arthur was blunt about where the team stood.
“I’ve told the players we were playing cricket that belonged in the 20th century. We hadn’t embraced the new modern game yet, and that was for a number of reasons, like not playing at home, or [not] having the exposure to the IPL that the rest of the world has had,” he said in April.
Come Sunday, Sarfraz’s men must grab the chances they get as one drop, in all likelihood, could make the difference between victory and defeat.
PULL OFF A SURPRISE
The 30 overs of Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan and the tournament’s leading wickettaker Hasan Ali will hold the key to Pakistan’s chances. But what if India’s openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who have plundered a total of 621 runs in four innings, are successful in continuing their rampant run?
In such a scenario, the norm of handing the ball to your best bowler might not work.
The idea of having two spinners from both ends at the start of the innings might be a good option. Shoaib Malik or Mohammad Hafeez (both off-spin) to Dhawan and Imad Wasim (leftarm spin) to Rohit.
It has been established that even if Rohit-Shikhar start slowly, both possess the ability to accelerate. For Pakistan’s spinners, it would be about two good deliveries in the first 8-10 overs. A bit of drift and leg before opportunities could open up. An ill-timed shot can hand the opposition the advantage.
Let’s take the 2016 World T20 final between West Indies and England. Though Liam Plunkett, David Willey and Ben Stokes had bowled well throughout, it took Joe Root’s special, in the second over, to remove Chris Gayle and Johnson Charles.
Though Darren Sammy’s men won, England skipper Eoin Morgan’s tactical brilliance was one of the highlights.
There are many ways to defeat your opposition mentally in sport.
It could be sledging, establishing dominance, staying one step ahead of your opponent by anticipating their next move and much more.
BREAK THE RHYTHM
Here, it could be how Pakistan affect India’s rhythm. The case in point is India’s loss against Sri Lanka. Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis showed sometimes the best form of defence is attack. Chasing 322, Sri Lanka lost Niroshan Dickwella early but the others played their natural game and went after the bowlers.
When Pakistan were chasing 324 at Edgbaston, their middleorder played with an intent to provide stability, which stopped the flow of boundaries and resulted in a nightmare. In Sri Lanka’s case, the plan was simple.
They lost Gunathilaka and Mendis at crucial intervals, but never seemed out of control.
Their shot selection was clinical and they seized the moment. Even Kohli was in awe of the batting approach, and openly admitted it.
Whether India bat first or bowl, it shouldn’t matter to Pakistan. All they need to focus on is not allowing Virat Kohli’s team to settle down even for a small period.
But if that happens, it is obvious which team will be under immense pressure.