World T20 : India Vs Pakistan - Preview

The World T20 has not even started making right noises and yet such a critical encounter is on the cards as India and Pakistan meet for their mouth-watering first clash of the ICC World Twenty20 on Friday.

India and Pakistan's early confrontation in this World T20 would hold a great deal of significance. Undoubtedly, what both teams will be craving for is a fast start. In an incredibly tough group that also contains Australia and the West Indies, early points will be critical for both of these team's hopes of progressing.

The last time India and Pakistan met each other, the contest went down to the wire as Shahid Afridi scripted a brilliant last over finish but India would like to shake it off and one should remember that  a wounded Indian team with something to prove is a very dangerous proposition.

While Dhoni missed out on the Asia Cup through injury, the skipper will, no doubt, be keen to get a settled side ahead of the cracker of a match against rivals Pakistan. Rather than carrying a colossal nation's hopes, the captain now finds himself genuinely battling public perception for the first time in his career after the thrashing in South Africa and New Zealand.

Pakistan, meanwhile, arrive at this point with their customary excitement and unpredictability. They will however be concerned after losing to South Africa by eight wickets. While their bowling attack is bolstered by perhaps the best spinning brigade in the tournament with Saeed Ajmal again being the trump card, the team's enigmatic and sometimes brittle batting line-up will again determine how far they can go.

In order to maintain both pace and momentum in their innings, Pakistan will need Mohammad Hafeez to calmly anchor his side and provide a platform for the team's explosive hitters in Sharjeel Khan and Shahid Afridi.

No doubt, a thrilling opener awaits the World T20.