The thing about "
Haryana" and "
Services" in the
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is that both sides have delivered uneven performances lately, which makes this encounter slightly unpredictable, even if the balance seems to tilt one way. "
Haryana" have shown glimpses of something solid in this format — they've won two of their last three T20 games, including a narrow one-run victory and a tense three-run win. That kind of form, built on tight finishes, suggests they can hold their nerve.
"
Services", by contrast, won two and lost one in their opening three matches. Their margin of defeat, on the thirtieth of November, was also slim: just three runs. Still, there's something about their recent record that doesn't quite inspire confidence. Beyond the domestic T20s, their longer-format results have been patchy, and transitioning between formats has never been straightforward for teams that lack the depth to rotate comfortably.
It's worth noting, too, that T20 cricket at this level can hinge on small details. One misfield. One batsman stranded on the non-striker's end. A moment of panic between the wickets during a run chase.
"
Haryana" appear better equipped in that regard, possessing recent experience in navigating pressure situations. They've chased, defended, and won by margins that suggest calm decision-making when it matters. "
Services", though capable, haven't quite matched that consistency across the three games; their eight-wicket thrashing of their opponent in the second game was impressive, but bookended by closer contests where they faltered.
From what we've seen recently, "
Haryana" carry a slight edge heading into this fixture. Their ability to close out tight encounters, combined with momentum from consecutive victories, suggests they might just have the composure and form to shade this one. That said, "
Services" have proven they can trouble anyone on their day, so writing them off entirely would be premature. But if pressed, the sporting advantage lies with "
Haryana".
