By Admin 
It surprises no one that the World Cup league match between India and Pakistan is more about the gestures or lack thereof outside the 22 yards than anything that’s done on it.
Much like the temperature levels in the Sri Lankan capital in the days leading up to the fixture, the anticipation of a fourth round of an India-Pakistan contest (three were played in the men’s Asia Cup) brought in a big pack of foreign reporters and something World Cup-oblivious locals too know of.
The numbers of this rivalry immediately dampen any expectations of a fist fight. An 11-0 advantage to India in the format is hardly the tussle to match the geopolitical strains of this fixture. Come Sunday, both teams will want to insulate themselves from the outside noise with two crucial points up for grabs.
Pakistan’s seven-wicket loss to Bangladesh at the same venue a few days ago exposed the chinks of inconsistency in a fairly in-form batting line-up. The side will hope to bury ghosts of that horror show as it faces a diverse and hungry Indian attack. Renuka Singh was rested in India’s 59-run win against Sri Lanka at Guwahati. While the early swing seen at the R. Premadasa Stadium in the previous fixture will suit her early striking tendencies, India has the depth and the spin prowess to afford her more rest.
192 for seven remains the highest score Pakistan has managed against India, scored during the 2013 ODI World Cup in Cuttack, which may be child’s play for a side dealing in 300-plus marks. The venue is particularly special for Sneh Rana, who on ODI comeback after two years, finished as Player-of-the-Series for India in the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and South Africa.
The Australia-Sri Lanka fixture on Saturday was abandoned without a ball bowled owing to incessant rain. With cloudy skies and thunderstorms on the cards on Sunday too, one will hope to see as much action as possible.