India survived Sri Lanka scare but injuries, heat and dew make Pakistan clash unpredictable
India’s unbeaten run nearly snapped in Dubai on Friday. What looked like another routine win turned messy against Sri Lanka, who chased hard and almost pulled off the upset.
Pathum Nissanka tore into the bowling, raising a hundred off just 52 balls. For once, India’s attack had no answers. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, so steady in earlier games, were thrashed in the slog overs. Only Sri Lanka’s stumbles at the death saved India from an embarrassing loss.
Worse than the bowling, bodies started breaking down. Hardik Pandya walked off after one over, thigh trouble again. Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma both left with cramps. The Dubai heat finally caught up, and it showed.
There was a hint of swing too. Not much, but enough to make the new ball dangerous. If Shaheen Afridi or Haris Rauf find that same movement on Sunday, India’s top order could face something far rougher than in the previous two matches.
Morne Morkel said Abhishek was fine, though Hardik will be assessed a day before the final. Without him India lose balance, and their options up front suddenly look thin. Arshdeep finished well but Rana sprayed it everywhere.
And then there’s the dew. Bowlers struggled to grip late on Friday. One bad toss call could tilt the whole game.
So it isn’t the straightforward India-Pakistan final many expected. Pakistan come in fresher, still chasing redemption. India limp in, a touch ragged, fighting the heat and their own cramps. Sunday could be decided as much by the weather as by the players.
