The weather is pleasant here during spring summer. But then, the cricketing temperature is hotting up.
The build-up to Wednesday's mouth-watering India - Pakistan duel reflects the significance of the contest. Cricket, suddenly, is central to everybody's existence here.
And the security machinery for this massive ICC World Cup semifinal, to be attended by the Prime Ministers of both India and Pakistan, is unprecedented for its sheer magnitude. There will be four layers of security personnel including intelligence men in plain clothes, policemen, para-military forces and NSG guards guarding the arena and the approaches leading to the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
It was clear during a visit to the Stadium on Sunday that the men manning the various gates in the stadium were not willing to take any chances. On view were machine-gun wielding security-men who were zooming around in their vehicles, keeping an eye on the vantage points all the while.
Fortress
Both the PCA stadium and the team hotel have become virtual fortresses. Strong and focussed men stand sentinel.
Indeed, cricket will be the very nerve-centre of the two countries during those tense eight hours beginning from 2.30 pm on Wednesday. The much-awaited clash holds intriguing possibilities. Three match-ups in particular, between the strong Indian batting and the threatening Pakistan bowling, could have a significant bearing on the result.
Key contests
Sachin Tendulkar vs Umar Gul: The maestro, just one short of a historic 100th century in international cricket, is running hot. Years fall away when Tendulkar conjures timeless classics in the cauldron. Tendulkar has 379 runs in seven matches at 54.14 at a strike rate of 95.94 in the competition. If the legend builds another monument in the semifinal, Pakistan could be in trouble.
In this context, talented seamer Umar Gul's duel with Tendulkar might have a huge bearing on the eventual result. Gul is running in with rhythm, bowling with control and incision. The versatile Pakistani can seam the ball from an ideal wrist position, swings the ball both ways and can also reverse the sphere. Crucially, he has the ability to create breakthroughs, work his way past defenses.
The magic delivery that castled V.V.S. Laxman in the Lahore Test of the 2004 series is fresh in the memory. Gul straightened the ball from wide off the crease – a delivery high on the scale of difficulty. Laxman, expecting the delivery to come in with the angle, was beaten and bowled. These are the moments that underline the class of a bowler. There could be a measure of assistance for Gul off the seam on the track here.
Tendulkar comprehends Gul well. He will strive to pick the length early and accordingly cover for the movement with footwork guided by an economy of movement. If Gul errs in either line or length, Tendulkar will punish the paceman. The face-off should be captivating.
Virender Sehwag vs Shahid Afridi: If he recovers from fitness concerns, Sehwag will be a distinct threat to the Pakistan plans. The marauder has already notched up 342 runs in six matches at 57.00. And his strike rate of 120.84 is the highest among the top 25 batsmen in this World Cup.
Sehwag dents the attack psychologically, disrupts the plans of the bowlers and makes it easier for the rest. If he survives the early phase, his tussle with Pakistan captain Afridi should prove compelling. The leading wicket-taker in the competition with 21, Afridi has relied on flight, deception and variety to prise out batsmen at critical junctures. The leg-spinner has varied his trajectory and harnessed the angles well. Indeed, Afridi has journeyed a long way from being a spinner who was quicker through the air and operated in a mechanical sort of way.
The match-up between these two cricketers with an aggressive mind-set could elevate the contest. Afridi will flight and Sehwag will use his feet. Sparks are bound to fly.
Saeed Ajmal vs Yuvraj Singh: The in-form Yuvraj could hold the key to Indian success in this perform or perish duel. The left-hander has scripted escapes, instilled belief in the side. Yuvraj's 341 runs have come at a staggering average of 113.66. But then, his strike-rate of 86.32 reveals his growing maturity and shot-selection. Yuvraj is reading situations better and is responding in a manner that suits the interests of the side.
Pakistan's best chance of seeing the back of the influential Yuvraj early could come lie in employing off-spinner Saeed Ajmal against the left-hander. Ajmal can straighten the delivery or spin it away from the left-hander from round-the-wicket without a marked change in his action and Afridi could well have a slip and a silly point in place for the off-spinner.
Attacking captaincy, playing on the ego of Yuvraj, could work. India's man of the moment might have other ideas though.
