 India will go into their semi-finals as being one the best batting sides in the
competition. Their middle order may have collapsed in the past in the tournament
but one must need to see their performance in the quarter-final to understand
the strength of their batting. On the other hand, the bowling has been bit of
a concern, as could be seen in the quarter-final. They have only one pace bowler
in Zaheer Khan who can do the job for the side while the likes of Harbhajan Singh and Munf Patel have been all but mere spectators. More tight bowling needed from the backup Indian support.
Pakistan seem to have surprised most of the fans. They have managed to not
only get to the semi-final but apart from a loss to New Zealand, they have been
excellent in the tournament so far. Their win against West Indies in the quarter-final
was one of the best ever and thanks to some excellent bowling by both their
pace and spin bowlers. Where the side could struggle is their top-order, which
has collapsed on occasions, thereby allowing the middle-order no liberties to
play their shots. They are also a side which can chase down any total but need
a good start.
New Zealand are the biggest surprise of them all. A side which was expected
to probably crash out o the tournament in the first round itself, easily got
to the quarter-final and then beat the pre tournament favourites South Africa
in the last eight stage. This will mean that the side will look to continue
with the ability to bat and bowl as a determined team which can sting hard.
Unfortunately, they have not yet got a big century from anyone, except that
game against Pakistan in the first round and that will be an issue.
Sri Lanka were one of the pre-tournament favourites and they certainly seem
to have lived to their billing. They have one of the more balanced sides and
their ten wicket win in the quarter-finals shows how difficult it will be to
face them. Where they score over the others is that they are the one team which
can take the home advantage to the maximum and New Zealand will struggle
against them. Where they may flounder is if the bowling can be taken apart by
the opposition in the very first few overs.
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