As we are finally into the second last leg of the world cup 2011 after long month and half, the cricket pundits are already terming this world cup to be a huge success and a good branding for the 50 over format, many think would die sooner. The might of the subcontinent teams in this edition of world cup held in the subcontinent is evident from the fact that 3 of the 4 semifinalists are from subcontinent. 

South Africa have finally proved themselves to be chocker yet again while Australia bowed down to India in style in the Quarter Finals. Pakistan and Sri Lanka advanced into the semifinals rather comfortably. However the fans all over the world have forgotten everything about this world cup for the time being as they prepare themselves to watch the mother of all cricket matches i.e. India Vs Pakistan that too in the semifinals of a world cup game.  What irony it is that nobody seems to be bothering about the very first semifinal game between the Sri Lankan tigers and the Black caps in Colombo a day before? After all one of these teams too is also going to be playing in the finals on Wankhede come April 2nd?

Can you blame the spectators? After all for many, India Vs Pakistan in such a big stage is more like a war being fought for 8 hours in a cricket maidan where nobody is going to die but the result would fetch a sense of win or highest order. The viewership might cross the numbers for all the games in this world cup so far put together. It is not just a game; it is much more than that for the players and the fans from across the border. We all know, this game is going to be the GAME OF THE World Cup 2011 in terms of interests of the cricket fans  especially from India and Pakistan, may be even bigger than the world cup final itself.

India and Pakistan were in different groups and when the schedule was out over a year ago, speculations were on as to when there would be a possible meeting of these two arch rivals. Many thought a final would have been more fitting but some expert say, meeting in the semifinals of these two heavyweights is far more fitting as one would get a real chance to knock the other down. In a true sense, a battle would be won.

India stamped their authority by knocking 4 time champions Australia in the Quarter finals while Pakistan has been the real dark horse of the tournament so far. While history seems to be on India’s side as they have never lost to Pakistan in a 50 over world cup game, this Pakistani outfit has so much in stake to win this game. In other words Pakistan would have a few scores to settle with; their IPL snub, losing the rights to co-host this edition of the world cup and the match fixing allegations. In all these, Pakistan has always blamed India to play a role in one form or another. These are going to be extra incentives for them to come hard at India and advance to the finals.

India have already declared that they would like to win this world cup for their cricketing Hero Sachin Tendulkar. India would like to win this game simply because this is India vs Pakistan and a semi-final of the world cup. Period.

Just playing the numbers game below, it would indicate that the perfect stage has been set for this clash of the titans:

In this world cup so far:

India is head in batting with their top 5 India batsman scored more than any batsman from Pakistan.

Sachin(379) Sehwag(342) Yuvraj(341) Gambir(269) Kohli(238) From Pakistan Umar Akmal (211)

Pakistan is head in bowling with their top 5 bowlers have better Economy rate than any India Bowler

Ajmal(3.06) Afridi(3.48)Hafeez(3.83) Umar(3.86) Razzaq(4.20) From India Harbhajan (4.43)

Is 50 over format a batsman’s game or a bowler’s game? May be we will have an answer to this question on 30^th March.

AZ India so far has enjoyed bringing you live cricket matches on the big screens of Tempe cinema and thank you all for the over whelming response.  For the India vs Pakistan semifinal, game of the decade and mother of all cricket matches, AZ India has gone a step further to really setup the mood for all of you before the game as we bring “Rock with DJ ISSAC’s Sound Bytes”. The party will start @12:00 AM and would pump you all for the toss and the game thereafter. Do not forget about Raffles, free giveaways and much more as you enjoy this fierce battle on the big screen of Tempe cinema.

All this because we expect the game to be a closely fought one and you need to be on a high to surviveJ.

Please follow the link for more details:

http://www.azindia.com/display_events.aspx?ae_id=8097