The Road to the Final -- the Semis

• There was so much of expectation from the India Pak match . Everyone was involved -- the Politicians , the bureaucrats , the filmi stars , the common man and of course the teams. You had the two leaders of the playing nations watching the match amongst back end work by the Diplomats. It was all exciting stuff at the Mohali stadium .


• India had to win and there was no other result that one can compromise with. This was the final as far as any Indian or Pakistan was concerned. Winning this match was more important than the final. India has a good record in the World Cup against the Pakis . All the five matches that we played in the previous World Cup against Pakistan were won by us and this record could not be blemished and so extreme hype and pressure was built up on the eve of the match with many a Corporate India facilitating the viewing of the match in one way or the other .


• The prematch talk was about who will fire in the match . For sure the name of Wahab Riaz did not figure in that. Dhoni won the toss and again came up with a surprise selection. Ashwin out and Nehra in. As the match progress and we noticed the Paki spinners turn it on , we said "Mr Cool has missed a trick". Events later proved us wrong. Umar Gul who was one of those expected to fire lost it completely. Sehwag in his brief innings smashed him around very badly that he never recovered his line and length.


• The other major disappointment was Sachin's knock. He was dropped no less than four times and went on to make 85 and a MOM to boot! It was good that he did not get his 100th Century with this.. Never mind , we will take all the runs he made . With Raina chipping in, Iindia made a score that it could defend. Pakistan did not attack enough but I am not sure if this is a correct view. Had Tendulkar been out in one of the four chances, things may have turned it to Pakistan' s hands . Wahab Riaz bowled a splendid spell in the middle overs , swinging the ball and he ended up with five wickets, not quite the match winning effort but I thought good enough for a MOM.


• Pakistan began brightly. Hafeez blundered and gave the opening to India . That was a crucial wicket and till then Pakistan looked in command . From then on , Pakistan went nowhere. Misbah defended and defended . Didn't we all like it ? He could not rotate the strike and this put pressure on the batsmen at the other end.
• Umar Akmal threatened but Bhajji took him out with a exceptional delivery. Munaf looked deadly with this cut and seam and Razzack had no clue as the timber was rattled by Munaf. Pakistan should have taken the Power Play when Afridi walked in but Pakistan did not want to change the strategy and it paid with the match for that. Afridi was never in good batting form and soon India was on top sending the crowd and millions in to frenzied victory celebrations. Misbah carried on but it was too late. One needs to have a chat with Misbah to understand what was his thinking in defending. He had a strategy that no one including Pakistanis could follow .


• Nehra 's selection ahead of Ashwin paid off for he conceded the least amongst all the Indian bowlers. Dhoni's Midas touch carries on. He was candid and admitted to error on reading the pitch. That was a bold statement to make and showed captain courage in great light. No two things here -- We have the best captain to lead the team.


• Afridi was great in his defeat . I thought he made a telling post match speech in defeat . Humble , accepting that the better team had won and thanking the crowd and apologising to his nation for letting them down. Well Afridi , you should be proud of yourself. Waqar and Afridi needs to be praised for putting back a controversy ridden team on to a path in the World Cup. Pakistan cannot play at home and has been playing Cricket outside its country and the team stitched for the World Cup did a great job to reach the Semis . The Conditions were difficult as a team for Pakistan not on the field but everything else.


• Srilanka had a easy outing against the Kiwis . First , Kiwis did not get going and managed a easy to win total . Srilanka got off to a start and there was a middle order stutter but Mathews struck it out at the right time and got them home.


• So it is all set a India - Srilanka final at Mumbai and the stars predict a win for India ..

Overheard-- The Indian PM's office was trying to get in touch with the Srilanka PM's office to invite him to watch the final with the Indian PM. Understand the Srilankan PM has switched his mobile off ! ( Thanks Arvind - FBSC TP tax )