In the first semifinals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup hosts Sri Lanka will take on the most consistent team in the history of T20 World Cups, Pakistan. Before the tournament started both these teams were favorites to qualify for the semis and there is no surprise to see them fighting for a place in the finals.
Sri Lanka played some dominant cricket and won all their three matches in the Super Eights, Pakistan on the other hand had some troubles on their way. They were lucky against the South Africans, had a torrid outing against India but some strong performance against Australia ensured that Pakistan stay alive in the tournament. Pakistan is the only team to have made it to the semifinals of all the four editions of the tournament and would be vying to reach the finals for the third time.
Let’s have a look at some of the players from both sides who can make the difference in today’s match.
Sri Lanka:
Mahela Jayawardene: The captain of Sri Lanka started the tournament a bit slowly but was in full flow in Super Eights. He has played some tremendous innings in the tournament and his team will be hoping for an innings of such substance in this match. Jayawardene can be very dangerous in the Powerplay and can hit even good balls for boundaries.
TM Dilshan: Dilshan too struggled in the league matches but played well in Super Eights. He is lethal at top of the order and can get Sri Lanka off to a flying start. He has a good record against Pakistan and will fancy his chances in this match.
Lasith Malinga: Malinga was struggling in the tournament but came back strongly with a five wicket haul against England in the last match. Malinga can rip apart any batting line-up with his toe crushing Yorkers and pace. Wickets in Indian sub-continent do not have much for the speedsters but then he manages to get enough out them as well. He can derail batsmen at the start of the innings with his yorkers and swing, coming back in the later stages of the innings can create havoc with his reverse swings and slower deliveries.
Ajantha Mendis: He has been pretty inconsistent in this tournament, he has won Sri Lanka two matches and has been pretty ordinary in other matches. Sri Lanka will be hoping that Mendis gets it right today because if he does they will have a strong chance of playing their second finals.
Pakistan:
Nasir Jamshed: He has been good for Pakistan since he has made his debut. He was mighty impressive in the tournament and will be looking to carry on with his good run. In this tournament as well he has looked the best batsmen for them. Jamshed likes playing a long innings and has the ability to hit sixes.
Umar Akmal: He has looked very good in this tournament, the younger Akmal may not have big scores against his name but he has played well. Umar Akmal will know that he needs to convert his starts into something big and today is the right time to do that.
Saeed Ajmal: He is a genuine match winner and Pakistan always depends very heavily on him. He was brilliant against the Australians. Ajmal is the best bowler according to the rankings and he will have to bowl well against the Sri Lankan batsmen who play spin really well. The job for him will be to get the Sri Lankan top three out of the way.
Raza Hasan: He has been very good in this tournament. He has been brilliant with the new ball. Against Australia he picked the all important wicket of Shane Watson and came back later to dismiss Maxwell. He was the best bowler for Pakistan against India where all the other bowlers struggled.
By Indian Sports News Network