Upcoming India-Pakistan Cricket Match

[Peer]

Formbook favours Pakistan

By Martin Gough

It can be dangerous to rely on past form to predict the outcome of a series, especially one involving as much pride and passion as India against Pakistan.

But as India last played in Pakistan in 1997, and the two sides have met just once in the last four years, there is little else to go on.

After Pakistan confirm the fixture list for the tour, BBC Sport looks to the stats for an idea of who might come out on top in the one-day series.

PAKISTAN v INDIA ODIs

In Pakistan:

Pak: 10, India 3, NR 2

In India:

Pak 10, India 4

Neutral territory:

Pak 32, India 23, NR 2

---

1ST ODI, KARACHI, 13 MARCH

The two sides have played at Karachi three times in the past, with a victory each and one abandoned match.

Inzamam could make the difference in the opener

Most recently, India scored a four-wicket victory in 1997/98, but the current Pakistan side boasts more stars from that match than the tourists.

Shahid Afridi, who opened the innings with 72 from 56 balls, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who made 74, give Pakistan the edge over India, for whom Sourav Ganguly made 89 in that match.

Verdict: Pakistan win (Series 1-0).

2ND ODI, RAWALPINDI, 16 MARCH

Pakistan have a winning record of 77% at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while India have never played there.

Ganguly could prosper, if he wins the toss

However, even though the hosts have won five of the seven day/night matches at this venue there is a starker statistic.

Of those seven games completed under lights, six have been won by the side batting second, making the toss crucial.

To replicate most important conditions exactly, we tossed a coin. India won and reaped the rewards.

In the majority of those wins, the highest scorer has batted at either three or four, which is good news for Ganguly or VVS Laxman.

Verdict: India win (Series 1-1).

3RD ODI, PESHAWAR, 19 MARCH

The home side do not have a strong record at Arbab Niaz Stadium, with four wins in eight matches, but again India have never made a one-day appearance in the city.

Saqlain has enjoyed past success in Peshawar

However, every potential tie-breaker falls in Pakistan's favour.

Of 15 one-day internationals they have played against India at home, they have won 10 and lost three.

Adjusted for a 50-over match, India's average score is 224, with their average total conceded 267.

Against all countries, India's form away from home is equally poor, with 98 losses in 161 matches dating back to 1974.

Spinner Saqlain Mushtaq has taken seven wickets in Pakistan's last two matches at the ground, and will be looking for more success.

Verdict: Pakistan win (series 2-1).

4TH ODI, LAHORE, 21 MARCH

These two sides have played three times in Lahore in the past, and Pakistan have won all three.

Pace men like Shoaib rule in Lahore

The Gadaffi Stadium has traditionally been a fortress for the home side, and they boast 23 wins from 34 one-day matches.

Also in their favour is the fact that they have not lost any of the six matches since floodlights became a fixture in 2000.

In five games at the ground in the last 12 months, pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Sami have taken eight wickets each.

Verdict: Pakistan win (series 3-1)

5TH ODI, LAHORE, 24 MARCH

With the series already decided, the last match is an opportunity to throw the form book out of the window.

Pathan could be key in a consolation win

With their vaunted batting line-up, India are too strong to concede a series with a whimper and they could rescue some pride, and a fillip for the Test series, in this final match.

However, wicket-takers rule at this ground, and once of India's fast men - Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra or Irfan Pathan - will have to step up to complete the job.

Verdict: India win (series 3-2)

--

BBC.co.uk

Wa'Salam

Ali

[Zain]

(salam)

The whole world knows india will win the ODI series. Ofcourse the world excludes Pakis cause they are in thier own fantasy land.

Lets make a deal with the Pakis.

If Pakis win the ODI series, you can have Kashmir.

If India win the ODI series, we get Kashmir back!

Is that a deal?! :rolleyes:

Edited February 24, 2004 by Zain

[Peer]

LOL I think you didn't read the post carefully.. See who has the better average :rolleyes:

Just for you:

PAKISTAN v INDIA ODIs

In Pakistan:

Pak: 10, India 3, NR 2

In India:

Pak 10, India 4

Neutral territory:

Pak 32, India 23, NR 2

As for Kashmir, I'd be more interested in some deal like:

Jeetoon to tujhay paoon

Haaroon to piya teeri

;)

Edited February 25, 2004 by Peer

[Peer]

Pakistan issue extra visas

Pakistan has announced a liberal visa policy to allow thousands of cricket fans from India to watch the forthcoming cricket series.

Blocks of Indian fans will be generally discouraged in Pakistan

The ministry of the interior said it has been decided to issue more than 8,000 visas to Indians cricket fans for the five one-day international matches.

Pakistan has decided to set aside the existing policy of strict scrutiny for Indian travellers, and in all, 8,250 visas will be issued to Indian cricket fans who hold match tickets.

The policy for the Test matches will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the matches are already attracting a massive response.

For the first time, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is selling tickets online and will allocate a fifth of all stadium seats to Indian cricket fans.

Indian supporters will not be shy to show their allegiance

Officials have, however, ruled that visiting fans from India will not be allowed to meet relatives in Pakistan during their stay.

The tour kicks off on 13 March with the first of five one-day internationals being played in the southern port city of Karachi.

That will be followed by three Test matches to be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.

The PCB has already said that Indian fans will not be segregated away from Pakistani supporters during the matches, to avoid any kind of hostility among fans when the matches take place.

And on Tuesday, Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said he wanted his players to avoid any onfield verbal exchanges with the Indian players.

"I don't want any misconduct or verbal exchanges as we need to play the game as it should be played," Haq said.

"Billions of people will be watching us on television and I think it is a great opportunity for us to prove to the world that we are a sporting nation and play the game in true spirit."

The last time India toured Pakistan for a Test series was in 1989.

BBC.co.uk

--

Wa'Salam

Ali

[Zain]

LOL I think you didn't read the post carefully.. See who has the better average :rolleyes:

Just for you:

PAKISTAN v INDIA ODIs

In Pakistan:

Pak: 10, India 3, NR 2

In India:

Pak 10, India 4

Neutral territory:

Pak 32, India 23, NR 2

As for Kashmir, I'd be more interested in some deal like:

Jeetoon to tujhay paoon

Haaroon to piya teeri

;)

(salam)

Past is past. You know Pakistan is not as good as the old days and India is a BAD MUTHA (SHUT YOUR MOUTH)!!!

And about that poem, are you flirting with me? :sick:

[Peer]

And about that poem, are you flirting with me? :sick:

Dumbo that was for India-Kashmir-Pakistan deal!!

[Zain]

(salam)

Do we have to pay for these matches or are free on Zee Tv or something?

I would love to see Men harrassing little kids (Pakis) on the field.

[Nida_e_Zahra]

Do we have to pay for these matches or are free on Zee Tv or something?

they showin it on zee??! :o i dint knw!!!

I would love to see Men harrassing little kids (Pakis) on the field.

:!!!: :!!!: harrassing is bad tho right? ^_^

[Renaissance_Man]

(bismillah)

(salam)

When will Pakistan/India give up this silly game of cricket and embrace baseball?

[Zain]

When will Pakistan/India give up this silly game of cricket and embrace baseball?

(salam)

Astagfirullah!! That is surely the worst thing you ever said on Shiachat! Baseball is BIDA, invented by Zionist. Cricket was invented by innocent Britishers.

May Allah forgive you!

[Peer]

(salam)

Do we have to pay for these matches or are free on Zee Tv or something?

I think PTV will be showing the matches... so if you have it then.... good for you, if not, then once again you are paying for not supporting Pakistani Channel :lol:

I would love to see Men harrassing little kids (Pakis) on the field.

As history has told us who the REAL MEN are, we will see again if you insist!

:angel:

[kaaju barfi]

india jeethay ro, india jeethay ro!!!! ^_^

[Socrates]

In the UK, matches will be on Sky Sports and ARY........

Pakistan Zindabad!!

[Socrates]

The whole world knows india will win the ODI series.

The ODI series will be close, since its a batsman's game.

But the Test series is decided. Whichever side can take 20 wickets will win.

[Nida_e_Zahra]

err..can i jus say...all who r sayin tht india's gonna win..dont say tht...coz whenever they are like sure tht they'll win they end up losing :no: :no: like last time in the world cup...saurav ganguly woz like oh we're ready this tht blaaah.... and they lost badly...to my australia :wub: :wub: !!!!

[Qizilbash]

Being a Turk, I see Indians and Pakistani as the same (not in a racist manner, but in a brotherhood way :angel: )

So, my wish is may Allah allow the best team to win, whether they are hindu or muslim, or whatever :)

[Pyarilarki06]

Insha Allah Pakistan will win

I will pray that we are successful in this endeavor...

Pakistan Zindabad! :!!!:

[HAIDARI]

(salam)

I dont follow cricket as much I would like to...being here in the states, not that many cricket enthusiasts. However, from what I've read of the past history between these two countries, it seems like the Pakistani team has the undeniable edge over its counterpart. It should be a very exciting match!

ALI

Edited March 9, 2004 by HAIDARI

[Zain]

(salam)

Look at the wannabe teams playing in UAE. US is one of them. Namibia vs. Holland, thats got to be the boringest match ever. By the way, is 'boringest' a word?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/st...ics/3514279.stm

Edited March 9, 2004 by Zain

[Socrates]

By the way, is 'boringest' a word?

Nope.

[LaYdee_110]

nah its not showijg on zee on for eupean or arabic viewers long! they show it on sony!! doe

[Friend of All]

The whole world knows india will win the ODI series. Ofcourse the world excludes Pakis cause they are in thier own fantasy land.

:rolleyes:

InshaAllah the better of the two will win, i.e Pakistan..:P

I think its important for us to win bcuz firstly its home series so the hosts would be having a lot of support and secondly, to be honest, Indo pak match, that too being held in Pakistan means a lot, so we better win..

Pakistan Zindabad.. :)

[Zain]

The whole world knows india will win the ODI series. Ofcourse the world excludes Pakis cause they are in thier own fantasy land.

:rolleyes:

InshaAllah the better of the two will win, i.e Pakistan..:P

I think its important for us to win bcuz firstly its home series so the hosts would be having a lot of support and secondly, to be honest, Indo pak match, that too being held in Pakistan means a lot, so we better win..

Pakistan Zindabad.. :)

(salam)

Friend of All, you are no friend of mine! :angry:

Let the battle begin! :realangery:

:P

[Peer]

Karachi tickets all sold

Tickets for the first one-day international between Pakistan and India sold out within hours of sales being resumed following weekend mayhem.

Pakistan have the sell-out crowd they wanted for the first match

On Sunday, ticket sales for Saturday's match in Karachi were suspended after clashes between fans and police.

But things went smoothly when booths reopened and in a few hours more than 21,000 tickets to be snatched up.

"Everything has gone well today," said Zakir Khan, a Pakistan Cricket Board official.

"We sold tickets from five other spots in the city apart from the booths at the stadium and that helped."

There has been an unusual interest in Saturday's match because bitter rivals India will be playing in Pakistan for the first time since September 1997.

"We are happy this process is over because what happened on Sunday was most unfortunate," Khan said.

The National Stadium has a capacity of 33,500. About 20% of the tickets had been sold earlier over the internet.

--

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/3540485.stm

[anjumzahra]

(salam)

India is definately gonna win.. :P

AnjumZahra

Edited March 10, 2004 by anjumzahra

[Friend of All]

The whole world knows india will win the ODI series. Ofcourse the world excludes Pakis cause they are in thier own fantasy land.

:rolleyes:

InshaAllah the better of the two will win, i.e Pakistan..:P

I think its important for us to win bcuz firstly its home series so the hosts would be having a lot of support and secondly, to be honest, Indo pak match, that too being held in Pakistan means a lot, so we better win..

Pakistan Zindabad.. :)

(salam)

Friend of All, you are no friend of mine! :angry:

Let the battle begin! :realangery:

:P

Don worry..the battle will def. begin on 13th..

[HR]

Anyone interested in viewing the series in US.Here'e the link

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/program...tan/index.shtml

I feel bad for all the top players of the Indian team :( They might lose their place in the team after the series. :cry:

Edited March 10, 2004 by Hussain rizvi

[Shiamuslim2004]

<_< Duhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

India is gonna win coz its the second best team in the world.

If they can put up such a fight against the Aussies on their home pitch then these pakis are nuthinnnnnn. :P

INDIA WILL WIN.

Discussion over!! B)

Edited March 10, 2004 by Shiamuslim2004

[Peer]

Anyone interested in viewing the series in US.Here'e the link

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/program...tan/index.shtml

I feel bad for all the top players of the Indian team :( They might lose their place in the team after the series. :cry:

:lol:

[Peer]

:P

INDIA WILL WIN.

Discussion over!! B)

:lol:

wake up and check the Pak-Indo cricket history :lol:

3:10 :lol: ?

[Zain]

(salam)

Just a reminder to Mr. Peer & Mrs. Wilayah regarding our bet.

One month your signatures/avatars will be mine if India wins the 1-day series. (And vice versa)

I can't wait!!!! :shaytan:

[anjumzahra]

(salam)

Just a reminder to Mr. Peer & Mrs. Wilayah regarding our bet.

One month your signatures/avatars will be mine if India wins the 1-day series. (And vice versa)

I can't wait!!!!  :shaytan:

(salam)

B) good spirit....keep it up man!

n be ready to win the bet!!!!

[Shiamuslim2004]

Why should I check out something which has happend years ago!!

Our team has gone there to MAKE history. B) :P :shaytan:

In India,the series is gonna be aired on TEN SPORTS,right?

[anjumzahra]

(salam)

yeah,y think of the past?? face the present...n the present says that INDIA WIL WIN

ur right ,its on ten sports

[HR]

n the present says that INDIA WIL WIN

LOL ......present ---->Will :rolleyes: