Pakistan is underway in its campaign for the World T20 in style with a thumping win over arch-rivals India in a heated warn-up clash. Once in a blue moon, Pakistan chases down a huge target as if, it is no big of a deal at all. Though it was only a warn-up game but a win is a win as they say. It is not also necessary that the warm-up performances mirror the team’s show in the actual tournament. It is that momentum thing which counts the most. A few heavy knocks scored in the warn-up will have their say when the sides will meet again on the September, 30.

India will perhaps be mentally more scarred than Pakistan irrespective of the result. It will be a foolish thought to measure up the performances of the India-Pakistan encounter against the other sides. It is only the lofty Indian batting which can tear apart the classy Pakistani bowling so easily like that they did. Similarly, enigmatic Pakistani batting order can only flourish so lavishly against the toothless India bowling attack. So, expecting Pakistani bowling to be torn apart so by other sides like the Indians did will be insanity in cricketing terms like expecting the Pakistani batting to hammer the attacks like they did against India. So, it will be the best if things are looked of the warm-up game in the complexion of that all-important game only.

One thing is pretty sure, both the captains on that will be in a dilemma about the decisions after winning the toss. In the last few years, the team chasing thrived in India-Pakistan games, irrespective of the total posted. At the same time, putting the runs on the board is always what the doctor prescribed in a crucial pressure game. India had their plans jolted in the run chase, Dhoni always likes to go with 7 specialist batsman which is quite baffling considering the rock solid batting that he has up his sleeve. Even 5 specialist bowlers looked short in the warm-up match just imagine what will happen with just only 4 specialist bowlers. It will be suicidal for India to go with just 4 ‘specialist’ bowlers. In ODI, it is easy to take out a bowler in these tid-bit bowlers but in T20, it is not a witty gamble to take when charge is always on in T20 scenario.

Especially in a case, when all the specialist bowlers are going for plenty, expecting the part timers to do well, will be nothing more than mere day dreaming. Even if they decide to play 5 specialist bowlers, another dilemma will be who to leave out. Sehwag, Ghambir and Kohli are automatic choices. Rohit, after his show in the game, will be too tempting to be left out and Raina in T20 is an integral part because of his long balls hitting ability. It leaves us with Yuvi alone as an option, who is the best of these part time spinners ironically. A seriously pondering is required on the part of Dhoni and India. A defeat after scoring such a huge total is agonizingly demoralizing. The insecurity of the bowling attack can easily lure the batsmen to go for extra 20-30 runs which can result into a self-destruction of the batting order.

Even though, Pakistan won but they are not also short of pondering to do. The biggest worry is struggling Afridi. Afridi struggling with the bat is nothing new but with the ball is very worrying sign. He bowled a perplexing spell against India, lacking any control or menace which he is known for of late. Tanvir’s poor performances are not looking to cease anytime soon. He is looking out of sorts as is Imran Nazir. The important question is that how long Pakistan can persist with them. Both Asad Shafiq and Yasir Arfat are two capable options waiting in the wings. Asad can be a perfect replacement for Nazir to stabilize the middle order full of the bashers.

Pakistan has one more game against England to test the different scheme of things but for India trying and testing period is over and serious business is on the hands.