Pakistan’s resurgence, and the barn door

Do not underestimate the importance of this match. Assuming that India and Pakistan don't meet again in the final of this event, the next time they take each other on will be on September 19, in what will virtually be the quarter-final of the ICC Champions Trophy. Inzamam will then go into that game with two thumping wins against India to his credit, and the extent of his confidence will be matched by the self-doubts that Sourav Ganguly's men will inevitably feel. Add to that the pressure of the occasion – the loser flies home to an certain public backlash – and you understand why this game was no mere warm-up…