NOT REALLY IN FORM OUTSIDE ASIA

MARCH 10, 1985: The fierce rivals met again in the final. Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma rocked the top order before Sivaramakrishnan’s mesmerising spell saw Pakistan dismissed for 176.

MARCH 4, 1992: This first World Cup clash between the two was at Sydney. Ajay Jadeja (46), Sachin Tendulkar (54) and Azharuddin (32) set up a target of 217, but the eventual champions wilted against Kapil Dev, Manoj Prabhakar and Javagal Srinath to be all out for 173.

JANUARY 10, 2000: It took Pakistan 15 years since their first meeting to beat India in Australia. In a tri-series game at Brisbane, Shoaib Akhtar and MS DHONI Pressure will be massive on the India captain at the start of the title defence with the team finding itself in a rut. RAVINDRA JADEJA Coming off a shoulder injury that almost ruled him out, he is yet to regain form. ROHIT SHARMA The opener is in great form and how he handles Pakistan’s pacers, especially Irfan, will be crucial for the holders. Last 5 games outside the continent haven’t been good for either India have lost four while one was middle-order batting which has abandoned. Pakistan have won scored better than the rivals. two and lost three. However, Their partnership average is India have played all their five 30.43. It is 21.1 for Pakistan. previous games in Australia where they play most of their matches. They’ve been playing a lot abroad unlike Pakistan.

TOP ORDER BATTING (1-3) Pakistan are fractionally better with 31.46 runs per wicket against India’s 24.85. However, Pakistan will be without experienced opener Mohd Hafeez.

MIDDLE-ORDER (4-7)

It is the strong and experienced Saqlain Mustaq dismissed India for 195. Pakistan pulled off a two-wicket win

JANUARY 21, 2000: In the second encounter in the tri-series, India essentially lost to Abdul Razzaq, who hit 70 off 52 balls and captured 5 wickets to clinch a win.

JANUARY 25, 2000: Three days later, India won at Adelaide Oval. Sourav Ganguly’s 141 setting up a target of 267.

JANUARY 28, 2000: Pakistan bounced back in their last league match of the tri-series, thumping India by 104 runs on a pacy Perth. PACERS

Pakistan are struggling

SPINNERS

Pakistan spinners have performed better — picking 13 wickets @33.38 against India’s 5 @82. But many of those came before ban on Ajmal & Hafeez.