Lawson predicts India-Pakistan final

Published March 20, 2014
The two rivals meet on March 21 in what is being termed as the 'real' curtain- raiser for this year's World T20. -Photo by AFP
The two rivals meet on March 21 in what is being termed as the 'real' curtain- raiser for this year's World T20. -Photo by AFP

Former Pakistan coach and Australian Test paceman Geoff Lawson has tipped South Asian giants India and Pakistan to play the final of the 2014 World Twenty20.


Also read: Quality spin makes Pakistan dangerous: Muralitharan


Lawson, who was in charge of the Pakistan team between 2007-2008, said conditions in Bangladesh were ideally suited to both sides as was evident from their performances in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The two rivals meet on March 21 in what is being termed as the 'real' curtain- raiser for this year's World T20.

"India and Pakistan will be playing on slow paced and low-bounce pitches and as such they may start as the two most likely to play in the final once again. Pakistan have the spin king in Saeed Ajmal and the the all-round talents of Mohammed Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and the inimitable Shahid Afridi. That’s plenty of slow bowling on their preferred surface," Lawson wrote in his column for Al Jazeera.

For the talented Pakistan team, the challenge essentially will be to curb their tendency to implode if they are to repeat their 2009 World Twenty triumph.

Mohammad Hafeez's men take on Australia, defending champs West Indies and a qualifier after their clash against India in what is perhaps the tougher of the two groups at the World T20.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...