LAHORE, Pakistan, 15 September 2003 — Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has warned his team not to let up against Bangladesh when the sides meet in the third one-day international today. Pakistan, who lead the five-match series 2-0, dominated the first two games in Multan and Faisalabad and are on track for a series whitewash. “I think we are well on our way to a 5-0 sweep of the one-day series, but we have got to keep doing the little things right,” Inzamam told reporters yesterday.
“We can’t afford to relax, even against Bangladesh, because a win for them would be a major happening and boost. For us, it would be a big comedown, despite the earlier wins against them,” he added.
Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore has been delighted with a general improvement in his team’s efforts in Pakistan, but knows they desperately need a win to boost morale. “Once these guys taste victory, there will be further improvement in them,” he said. “I think what they have learnt on this tour will serve them well in the next series against England.”
Pakistan have not yet decided whether to give fast bowler Mohammad Sami his first one-dayer of the series following his recovery from an ankle injury. The 22-year-old Sami was ruled out of the test series against Bangladesh due to a stress hairline fracture in his right ankle, and team manager Haroon Rasheed said doctors had advised that Sami not be rushed back for the third game.
Procter Says Countries
Closing In on Australia
Former South African all-rounder and International Cricket Council (ICC) official Mike Procter believes that other countries are closing in on Australia terms of excellence. “Australia are at the top at the moment and this is reflected in the performance of their national side. But other countries are now looking for positive answers in Australia’s success,” Procter told reporters during a visit to the National cricket academy in Lahore yesterday.
“Everyone is going to look at how cricketers are produced in Australia,” he added. Procter, who has had a close look at all the major cricketing nations through his role as an ICC match referee, said that while the Australians led the way in areas such as their academy and administration, others were closing in.
He gave an example of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s National Academy, which he described as the best he had seen.
The academy includes an indoor practice area with five pitches, bowling machines, 30 living rooms, swimming pool, gymnasium and a biomechanics department. “Pakistan is a country that has a history of producing some great cricketers I think there are ups and downs in all countries but Pakistan has been renowned for a country that can produce superstars at the age of 15, 16 and 17 so I think Pakistan cricket is always healthy,” he said.
Nehra Doubtful for
New Zealand Series
Indian paceman Ashish Nehra is unlikely to play in the upcoming two-Test home series against New Zealand because of an injury, a board official said in Bangalore yesterday.
Indian Cricket Board Secretary Karunakaran Nair said the fast bowler had yet to recover completely from the ankle injury sustained during the World Cup in South Africa early this year.
New Zealand will play two Test matches in October and then a triangular one-day series also featuring world champions Australia. Nair said he hoped Nehra would be fit for the one-day series. The left-arm seamer, who played his last Test in New Zealand in December, has so far taken 37 wickets in 13 Tests and 45 in 39 one-dayers.
