Golden Battle between India and Pakistan

Battles have heroes. Wars have legends. The India-Pakistan clash will have both. Then again, the semi final match is no less than an all out combat. A look at players who are most likely to inflict maximum damage:

> Asad Shafiq: The 25-year-old has an average in excess of 120 from three World Cup matches. He showed good patience during his knock of 46 against Australia and can provide a solid foundation coming in at number 3. Last World Cup match against India: Did not play

> Sachin Tendulkar: There is no point in explaining why he is on this list. Details of this World Cup though are highlighted by his half-century and two tons and he is currently averaging 54 in the tournament with a strike rate of 95.6. Last World Cup match against Pakistan: 98 runs

> Umar Akmal: Has been one of the most consistent players for Pakistan in the tournament. With an average of 52 from six matches, Akmal's reputation as an excellent finisher can spell doom for the hosts if the 26-year-old is not contained in time. Last World Cup match against India: Did not play

> Virender Sehwag: Looked a tad uncomfortable against Australia but no knee problem can be big enough to doubt him. Scored 175 in the opening match and has since totalled 342 in the tournament with a strike rate of 120. Last World Cup match against Pakistan: 21 runs and no wickets

> Misbah ul Haq: His dropped catch gave India the T20 World Cup in 2007. With 192 runs in seven matches and a strike rate of 73, he will look to take revenge against a relatively similar Indian side. Last World Cup match against India: Did not play

> Yuvraj Singh: A billion will hope laws of averages truly don't apply to cricket as the local hero turned national hero will hope to stand out again. Four man of the match awards in the tournament is enough to explain what he is capable of with the bat as well as the ball. Last World Cup match against Pakistan: an unbeaten 50 runs

> Shahid Afridi: The skipper was bound to make it to this list. Leading wicket taker in the tournament with 21, Afridi's rather silent bat has been overshadowed by his spin. Boom boom Afridi though can unleash his batting fury in a crunch game as well. Last World Cup match against India: 9 runs and 1 wicket

> Harbhajan Singh: So his World Cup could have been better than it has been thus far. His tally of just six wickets in the tournament though may be considered as an added incentive for him, to wreck Pakistan's batting on Wednesday. Last World Cup match against Pakistan: Did not play

> Umar Gul: The opposition thus far has not had a clue on how to deal with his clever pace. Gul has not let the absence of Shoaib Akhtar hurt the pace battery of Pakistan and can inflict early blows, too massive to recover from. Last World Cup match against India: Did not play

> Zaheer Khan: Is the leading wicket-taker for India in this tournament with 17. His reputation as a formidable pacer is only shadowed by his menacing ability to provide breakthroughs. A powerful force to reckon with once India takes the field. Last World Cup match against Pakistan: 2