Pakistan are dangerous for Lanka

The tournament has hotted up a bit over the last couple of days and some delectable games are coming up tomorrow(Saturday) and on Sunday. Coming up first is the Sri Lanka-Pakistan game. This will be a great test for Sri Lanka, who had an easy game against Canada.

I have a lot of regard for the Pakistan team, who have a fine combination of experienced batsmen like Misbah ul Huq and Younis Khan and youngsters like Umar Akmal. They are also dangerous because they have been through a lot as a side and indeed as a nation.

Very often, a team tries to alleviate the troubles faced by a nation by playing their hearts out. I remember this happening in my career, when we would hear about the troubles and hardships of our countrymen, and it would strengthen the determination of the team. Pakistan are a dangerous side when they are determined and pushed to the wall. I am keeping an eye on them. This match would also be the first one between two strong bowling attacks, with both sides boasting of varied attacks.

The match will be played on a newly-laid wicket at the Premadasa that is as unfamiliar to the Sri Lankans as it is to the Pakistanis, thus negating the home advantage to a great extent.

The game between India and England makes up the other half of the high-voltage weekend. It will be interesting to see how India fare against the top-quality England pace attack. The England side was given some anxious moments in their game against the Netherlands, and they must have worked hard at their bowling over the last couple of days.

I would be interested in MS Dhoni's game plan against an England side that might just struggle against quality spin bowling. The England middle order is pretty inexperienced against leg-spin, and the Indians might consider bringing in Piyush Chawla. I like the look of the young lad and he has been utilising opportunities that have come his way rather well.

This is the kind of weekend that defines the World Cup and there is a lull on either side, when the so-called minnows come into the equation. I strongly believe that cricket must be encouraged and developed outside the traditional areas but at the same time, four minnows are two too many.

It would have been less pressure on the tournament schedule if only two of these four sides were in the league stage. It is true that playing top sides is a major aspect to improving and providing a leg-up to the game but the interest level of the spectators and the tightness of the tournament are also issues. It is also important to monitor how these sides are structuring their domestic cricket so that development work is not restricted to playing at a major tournament every now and then.