A Curtain-Raiser for the finals

I was almost compelled to mention in my blog yesterday that Pakistan will fire on all cylinders and make a score of around 400 against Bangladesh. It is one way to let your frustrations out and let the batting do its talking.

As regards, SL-Indian match today, there is nothing much at stake as regards tournament is concerned, as the two-heavy weights of Asian cricket team meet today for a dead rubber.

Both have qualified for the finals. What will be the composition of the teams will be a key question that will be running in the minds of 2 captains. Both the teams would like to have an eye on new players, keeping the world cup perspective in mind, as it is played on the sub-continent.

India should certainly rope in Saurabh Tiwary, probably at the expense of Rohit Sharma, and bring in Ashwin/Ojha at the expense of Nehra.

Sri lanka, on the other hand, will be compelled to bring in Kandamby at the expense of Samaraweera and Herath, at the expense of Suraj Randiv. They would not like to expose Suraj Randiv at this stage. This match will also be Upul Thanranga's 100th ODI match.

Indian and Sri Lanka, of late, have been having matches played against each other, almost every year. With the advent of IPL, all the players know the strength and weakness of each other. There is a mini-rivalry developing on the field between these two countries and definitely, there will be a hard-fought contest between the two.