Cricket sure is a funny game. Just about a fortnight ago Australia walloped India. The spirits of their supporters fell just as their tempers rose. That performance on the field and the reaction of the fans off it probably brought home to the Indian players the responsibility that they need to show on the field. To their credit, they have shown that and regrouped, and now after the manner in which they trounced England they look as if they can go all the way. The win over England has to be one of the best India has recorded. It was such a combined effort that there was nobody who could have been said to have had a bad game. There is never going to be a situation in a team game where all eleven players succeed but when all contribute then the team looks formidable as India did against England.
That will of course mean that they start favorites against Pakistan in the clash that not only the subcontinent but also the whole cricketing world would be eagerly watching. England demolished Pakistan and India did likewise to England. So it would be tempting to say that Pakistan has no chance what so ever. But as we have all seen in the past this game of glorious uncertainties can make anybody look silly. How many people really expected India to beat England they way they did. They were plenty of doubts because England had really played well against Pakistan.
True, the Pakistan team looks in disarray like never before, but when they see an Indian player then they too bind together and give it everything. India’s record in the World Cup against Pakistan will no doubt weigh in the minds of the followers but once the umpire calls ‘play’, then the real game will start. Pakistan’s problems are in their batting which has not clicked in this tournament. Saeed Anwar looked rusty and Inzamam in spite of losing weight seems heavy on his feet. The other youngsters have all got starts but have not converted them into the kind of scores that add muscle to the total. Only Youhana has looked in some form and much will depend on him if Pakistan are to counter the Indian attack.
Pakistan’s bowlers have done well with the great Wasim Akram now passing his 500-wicket and keen to add more to his tally. Shoaib has bowled the fastest delivery ever in cricket but that extra speed also means the bowl goes to the fence lot quicker even off a deflection off the pads. The contest between Wasim and Shoaib bowling to Tendulkar and Sehwag should be the highlight of the game. Both the bowlers and the batsmen will be trying to establish their domination and there could well be some fireworks there. India’s batting depth gives it more of a chance but then their batting order has to be flexible with Ganguly, Dravid and Yuvraj playing the floaters who can move up and down the order according to the situation.
India has less worries than Pakistan especially now, that Ashish Nehra has come up trumps. With Srinath and Zaheer giving little away, India had been struggling for a back-up bowler, and if Nehra can keep bowling the way he did two days ago, even that worry will be a thing of the past. Nehra who has modeled himself greatly on Wasim Akram should be charged up after the English game and will want to show Akram too how good he is. If after the game both he and Zaheer Khan can spend some time with the great Pakistani and pick-up some tips, Indian cricket will be the richer for it.
Arab News Sports 1 March 2003
