Pakistan didn't know until late on Tuesday night whether they'd have to
keep their hotel reservations in Colombo for a few more days. But when
South Africa's Robin Peterson gloved a ball for a single to take the
score to 122 against India, a roar went around the Premadasa. It sounded
as though Sri Lanka were playing, but the noise was from a legion of
Pakistan fans who were celebrating their team's progress to the
semi-finals on net run rate, at India's expense. There wasn't much
separating the two sides, but Pakistan were better placed because they
got their tactics right and won big against Australia earlier in the
evening.
Spin has been Pakistan's strength in this tournament and their captain
Mohammad Hafeez used his resources astutely. If that meant giving a
rookie spinner the new ball and making the most experienced fast bowler
wait till the 18th over, then so be it. The plan was to suffocate the
Australians with turn on a sluggish pitch and it worked to such an
extent that even Shane Watson had a rare, bad outing. The fielders made
Australia's qualifying target of 112 seem distant. As a result, Pakistan
play their fourth World Twenty20 semi-final tomorrow, but unlike on
Tuesday, they will not have the lion's share of the support
.
Sri Lanka are familiar opponents for Pakistan. The hosts were the more
dominant side when Pakistan visited in June-July. Sri Lanka looked a
more settled side in the Super Eights, making heavy weather of the chase
against New Zealand (which culminated in a Super Over victory) and
trouncing West Indies and England. The return of Ajantha Mendis has
given their spin attack more bite and the seamers, Lasith Malinga and
Nuwan Kulasekara don't offer respite.
It's ironic though that the semi-final is Sri Lanka's first game in
Colombo during this World Twenty20. They love playing at the Premadasa
and the pitch - not as quick as the ones Pakistan played on in June -
should suit their spinners. Sri Lanka haven't had a world title since
1996. They are two games away from breaking the drought, at home.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)Sri Lanka WWWLW
Pakistan WLWWW
Watch out for
Spin v spin: Opening with spin has become the norm for Pakistan.
Will Hafeez adopt the same tactic against Tillakaratne Dilshan and
Mahela Jayawardene, who are fluent players of slow bowling? Hafeez,
Hasan and Saeed Ajmal conceded only 53 in 12 overs and took all seven
wickets that fell against Australia. The two Mendises - Ajantha and
Jeevan - have played vital roles for Sri Lanka as well, and they also
possess a largely unknown quantity in Akila Dananjaya.
Something's got to give for Shahid Afridi. He has looked a shadow
of his old self with the ball, while as a batsman he remains
unreliable. His three wickets in the tournament are at odds with his
reputation for running through line-ups. Afridi still gets the odd
delivery to grip and beat the bat, but Pakistan need more from him. His
star value may not have diminished, but his wicket-taking and
match-winning ability has
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