The Super Six match of the World Cup Cricket '99 between traditional rivals India and Pakistan, being played at Old Trafford is excitingly poised at lunch time.

Batting first, India have achieved a modest total of 227 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs. This may be some 30 runs short of what India could have achieved if the final batting assault had come earlier.

For Pakistan, this is the chance to win this match and get the two match points it requires for entry into the semi-final stage of the tournament.

Pakistan faces a victory target of 228 runs. This is a moderately good target that India has set. A couple of early wickets can make this target look bigger than it actually is.

Now, the Indian bowlers have to win this match for India. The top order of Pakistan is given to crumbling under pressure. It is some gritty hitting by Moin Khan and Wasim Akram, as also Azhar Mahmood, that has seen Pakistan through in the past.

The Indian total is defendable, and if the fielding is supportive, can yield a victory.

It is strange that India ended up with four wickets in hand. While batting Azhar took a very long time to settle down. As a result, Robin Singh and Mongia never got a chance to have a go at the bowling. Srinath never came to the crease.

Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar made 45 runs from 65 balls before he was caught at mid off trying to force the pace. That dismissal was a turning point in the Indian innings and the rate of scoring fell dramatically thereafter, never to recover fully.

In the morning, Indian skipper Azharuddin won the toss and elected to bat first. Both India and Pakistan are said to be poor chasers of targets. Only the post lunch session will tell if Azhar was right.

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