Expect the unexpected – World T20 Semi-final preview

It had taken almost five weeks for the IPL semi-finalists to be decided. In almost one-third that time-frame, the ICC World T20 semi-finalists have been decided; South Africa will take on Pakistan in the first game, where as West Indies plays Sri Lanka in the second match. And in a format which is as difficult to forecast as the Mumbai rains, the enigmatic nature of at least one of the teams in both the games makes for prediction an exercise in futility, but a potential result which could get the fans bite their nails in excitement.

Pakistan v South Africa

A lot would depend on the pitch at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. And if the India-South Africa Super Eights game is anything to by, then Pakistan would have had nullified their unpredictability with the possession of their spinning duo of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi. Shoaib Malik could bowl a few overs as well, and with Umar Gul having begun to reverse the ball enough to make Daniel Vettori rush to the match-referee, Pakistan cannot be taken lightly.

South Africa will not want to disturb their winning combination once Jacques Kallis is fit, but the temptation to play an extra spinner in either Robin Peterson or Justin Ontong will always be there. Especially if the track continues to behave in a manner that could put most sub-continental wickets to shame. Wayne Parnell has been South Africa’s most impressive quick bowler in the tournament so far, and he will look to surprise the Pakistanis with his rather quickish pace. But more than the speed, it is his ability to control the lines and the lengths that could test the maverick Pakistani batsmen!

My prediction is that if the pitch remains the way it was in the previous game, then the result would be a trifle difficult to call, however my money will be on South Africa if the track is anything close to being a typical English wicket on a cool evening!

Sri Lanka v West Indies

Both teams had met in a dead rubber in the first round of the tournament, and on that occasion, the Sri Lankan openers had ensured that the game was pushed out of West Indies’ reach with a ten-run per over 123 runs stand for the first wicket. There were individual brilliances from Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo, but nothing that could see the Windies off for a win.

Much water has passed since that game, as Sri Lanka has gone on to win all their games despite been given a scare by Ireland and then having to beat new Zealand in the last match to get to the knock-out stage. West Indies’ win over Australia in the first game had everyone speaking about how they had come to become a one-man army and their over-reliance on Chris Gayle could end their campaign in the Super Eights itself. However, since then, different players in the form of Andre Fletcher, Simmons, Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards have come to the party for their team and seen them to two wins in the three Super Eights games.

However, the fact of the matter is that most of the players from Caribbean haven’t really had the opportunity to feature in a high-profile game like this – a semi-final of a big event – and that could play against the side. That could also ensure that despite the pyrotechnics of most of the aforementioned cricketers, it will boil down to Gayle to deliver the knock-out punch.

Having said that, Ramnaresh Sarwan’s return to form – albeit in a nine-over game – would augur well for a team very shorn in experience to face up to the spin bowling of Muthiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.

Mendis and Malinga lie on the third and fourth spot for the most number of the wickets in the tournament so far, worse – for the opposition – the mystery spinner’s wickets have come at a miserly economy rate of 5.55 runs per over. And this is not even including Muralitharan in the list, who can never be discounted while using the drawing boards, ensuring that the West Indian greenhorns will have it slightly difficult against the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Sanath Jayasuriya’s fluctuating form will be offset by T.Dilshan’s beautiful batting at the top, along with Kumar Sangakkara’s soothing effect on the Sri Lankan top-order. That said, the one chink in the Sri Lankan armour could be the number three spot where they have struggled to find a suitable personnel for it and an early wicket could bring another quick one as well!

Sri Lanka should be hands down favourites to get to the finals but any team which has a Gayle in their team can possess the audacity to challenge the best of their oppositions!

Suneer Chowdhary
Suneer is a freelance cricket writer and can be reached at suneerchowdhary (at) gmail dot com