LONDON: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni would need pluck and luck in equal measure to score a consolation win against Pakistan in the warm-up

Dhoni's men lost the first sparring match of the warm-ups to New Zealand on Monday and are up against an opponent who consider themselves unlucky to lose in two previous encounters between the two sides.

Both the previous ties were in the inaugural edition in 2007 and India could cross over the finish line by a matter of chance.

Indians prevailed In the first through a 'bowl-out' after the two sides had tied at the same score.

In the 2007 final match in Johannesburg, Pakistan were just a stroke away from victory when Misbah-ul Haq's scoop off Joginder Sharma landed in short fine-leg S Sreesanth's hands.

Pakistan would be determined to settle the score for they might not get another opportunity to get even with the Indians unless both sides make it to the finals this time also.

Indians would be resigned to leaving out Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag on the bench as both are battling shoulder injuries.

They would be keen though to play Yuvraj Singh who is just about coming to terms with a bout of food poisoning, as disclosed by skipper Dhoni last night.

Fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh could have another game to get himself sorted out after the pasting of the first match.

Irfan Pathan, too, would be hoping for a few more overs under his belt, as would be the ambition of bowlers Praveen Kumar and Yusuf Pathan also.

Ishant Sharma would look to build upon his superb success of the first game and so would be for batters Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.

Opener Gautam Gambhir and Dhoni would have another opportunity to spend some time in the middle and be in a better frame of mind before the real stuff unrolls from Friday onwards.

Pakistan, who lost their first warm up match against South Africa, could field 17-year-old fast bowling sensation Mohammed Aamer who is tipped to be the 'revelation' of this tournament by fast bowling legend Wasim Akram.

Aamer, a tall and skinny lad from the Punjab province of Pakistan, regularly hits upwards of 140kmph in speed and he could make a formidable fast bowling trio with Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir.

Gul and Tanvir are star bowlers of this format. Gul was the highest wicket-taker in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup while Tanvir was the best bowler of the first Indian Premier League.

Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/