Pakistan in make-or-break situation

Match facts

November 26, 2008
Start time 7.30pm (1400 GMT)

Bangladesh's win over India has turned this game into a potential cracker.

A short tournament means the Pakistan XI face a must-win game against the World XI on Wednesday. Each of the other sides have a win under their belts. If Pakistan - who boast the same championship-winning Lahore Badshahs side - lose, they are out of the ICL 20s World Series.

Pakistan scored 165 for 9 against India on Monday, largely down to the inability of their batsmen to build on their start. Pinch-hitter Rana Naved-ul-Hasan top scored with 44, and Inzamam-ul-Haq was the only other batsmen to score more than 20. Rana, though, leaked 44 runs in four overs as India XI chased down the target with five balls to spare. That said, this is a fantastic Twenty20 side thats knows a thing or two about playing under pressure.

The World XI have some momentum going after a win over the Bangladesh XI. Bangladesh put up a spirited performance against the World XI in the inaugural game, but they were thwarted by Lance Klusener's all-round brilliance. His 63 not out took the World XI from a perilous 39 for 3 to a competitive 167, and he then picked 3 for 18 to stem Bangladesh's chase - they fell 12 runs short. That win was a bit of a one-man affair, and the World XI will need to be tougher against a side with their backs to the wall.

"On their day, if they click and get everything right, Pakistan are very difficult to beat," said Chris Harris, the World XI captain. Don't miss this game.

Players to watch

Opener Murray Goodwin will need to deliver for his side against a potent Pakistan attack. They may have escaped against Bangladesh, but it will not be easy to stage a recovery against a potent Pakistan bowling attack. Goodwin had made a brisk 27 against Bangladesh; more might be needed against Pakistan.

The World XI's new-ball bowlers - Jason Gillespie, Andre Adams and Nantie Hayward - were expensive against Bangladesh, and it was only thanks to Klusener and Harris that they managed to prevent defeat. Pakistan boast a power-packed opening line-up in Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat. Nazir's scintillating century sealed the ICL 20-20 Indian Championships in Lahore Badshahs' favour, and a Harris, the World XI captain, would pray a repeat does not happen in Wednesday's game.

Quotes

"We have to make sure we get Imran Nazir out early. That would give us a fantastic start."
Harris knows just what his side need to do when they take the field

"There are three of four of those Pakistan players who could be playing for their country. There is no team in the world that wouldn't snap up a few of them."
Pat Symcox, who has followed every game, puts his money on the Pakistan XI