World T20 2014: India vs. Pakistan Live Stream Info, Form Guide and Key Stats

India and Pakistan get the next stage of the World T20 underway on Friday in Dhaka.

Two of crickets heavyweights are going toe-to-toe again, just a few weeks after their meeting in the Asia Cup.

There is surely no finer matchup to open proceedings, and both sides will be looking to grab the early initiative in the group.

Date: Friday March 21

Time: 1.30 p.m. GMT/9.30 a.m. ET (7.30 p.m. local)

Live on: Sky Sports 2

Form Guide

India comes into the tournament out of form after a disappointing Asia Cup campaign, but boosted by the return of MS Dhoni to the lineup.

Ross Setford/Associated Press

If one person can make a difference to the upturn in fortunes of the Indian attack, Dhoni is that man.

A calming presence, Dhoni leads from the front, but will need to get the very best out of an inexperienced group of players. 

India will need to settle into the tournament quickly, but with only five T20I's played since the last World T20, it's likely to be a big ask.

In terms of current form in this form of the game, there really is little to go by. However their PR indicating their only loss in the last World T20 somehow qualifies them for a decent campaign this time around (per Sidharth Monga of ESPNCricInfo) is a little misguided.

Spin will be crucial for the Indians to garner any sort of success, so much will fall on the shoulders of Ravi's Ashwin and Jadega who've been warming up nicely for their stint in the IPL.

For Pakistan, Shahid "Boom Boom" Afridi—fresh from his big-hitting cameos in the Asia Cup—will play in this one despite still not being fully fit, per Abhishek Purohit of ESPNCricInfo.

Aijaz Rahi/Associated Press

Mohammad Hafeez believes Afridi's excellent form stands the Pakistani's in good stead per ESPNCricInfo:

"

He is in good form and we have seen that in the Asia Cup. It is always great when your senior players are looking forward to challenges.

The way the momentum has shifted, it is a boost for our morale. 

"

Hafeez himself is at odds with the Pakistani selectors over who should make up their WorldT20 side, per NDTV, which doesn't bode well for the country at this stage of proceedings.

Former skipper Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal have been included, but Malik hasn't played in a Twenty20 international since November. 

Fawad Alam—who has been ignored by the selectors since 2010—has been drafted into the squad, so it's perhaps easier to understand Hafeez's stance.

Much is expected of paceman Umar Gul, who had a disappointing Asia Cup by his own standards. Just three one-day games in the last year because of persistent knee problems could hamper his bowling, but he can always be relied up to grab wickets.

Key Stats

Umar Gul's 74 wickets in this form of the game equates to am impressive ration of a wicket for every 14 runs.

He has the best bowling figures of 5/6 so, as long as there's no rustiness, India needs to be on their toes from the outset.

Gallo Images/Getty Images

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez is ranked the number one batsman in this form of the game and, with over 1,200 runs and 44 wickets to his name, his threat to an Indian victory is obvious.

Mohammed Shami already has 50 ODI wickets in just 29 innings in this form of the game, and India's seamer continues to be their "go-to" bowler.

All stats courtesy Rohan Raj of India Today.