AN INDO-Pak clash in crucial matches has always been a great source of entertainment for cricket lovers across the world. Sri Lanka has already secured a berth in the final of Asia Cup by beating Pakistan and Bangaldesh in the super four stage.

Today (July 2), India will take on Pakistan in an important match of the super four stage in Karachi. Victory for team India will take them into the final, and Pakistan will be out of contest. However a win for Pakistan will make the battle for the finals more interesting. The remaining berth in the final will then depend on their matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The top order of India batting line-up is a cause of worry for the Pakistani bowlers. Suresh Raina is riding on a crest top and was adjudged the ’Man of the Match’ in all the three games, which India played in the tournament. The left hander has struck two centuries and one fifty in three games. Raina punished the bowlers with his excellent timing and technique. In previous matches it seemed that he is playing a Twenty20 match. Besides him, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh all are in good form.

In the bowling bowling department, RP Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and Piyush Chawla are doing very well. All rounder Yusuf Pathan has also provided good support to the frontline bowlers with his off spin bowling. While part time bowlers Sehwag and Yuvraj add depth to the Indian balling line-up

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan’s fitness is still under doubt. But according to sources, the left-arm seamer can play in today’s crucial match. If he plays, then it will add more teeth to bowling. He can also contribute with the bat.

On the other hand, today’s match presents a do or die situation for Pakistan and they have to win the game all cost to stay in the tournament. Pakistani captain Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi, who were earlier suffering from injuries, have been declared fit for today’s game.

Malik is looking in good form with bat and he will try his best to secure a win for his team. Younis Khan has also contributed well in the previous games of the tournament. But other batsmen have not made big contributions.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who earlier complained about the tight schedule of the tournament, will be happy as his team got a three day rest to recharge their batteries. In the last match against Bangladesh, Dhoni expressed his unhappiness at the schedule and said that it was too tight. The two teams have to play back-to-back matches while two others got a day off.

Seeing the recent performances, we can say that team India certainly has an upper hand over their rivals Pakistan as they had beaten the latter in a group stage match. Most importantly, the Indians are doing very well in all departments of the game and that is the biggest threat for Pakistan.

Last but not the least, the dangerous Raina will again try to tear the Pakistani attack apart with his attacking game and also look to increase his tally of ’Player of the Match’ awards.