LAHORE, Pakistan, 21 March 2004 — Indian captain Saurav Ganguly will be a worried man with his depleted bowling failing to click against a rejuvenated Pakistan batting, while Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq warned against complacency ahead of their One-Day Tie at the Gaddafi Stadium here.
Ganguly’s India team, who trail 1-2 in the five-match series, must win today’s fourth match under lights if they are to push for a decisive fifth at the same venue. “Both teams are under pressure,” the Indian captain conceded. “Pakistan have a lot at stake in front of their home crowd. They too need to win and we will try and stop that from happening.”
Inzamam hoped the winning momentum will continue. “It is good to have two consecutive wins behind us, but we will again have to play really well to wrap it up today,” he said.
“It is a very important game. My main worry is to ensure the bowlers do not concede too many wides and no-balls.”
“India’s bowling is not as bad as everyone thinks. We have to work hard to get the runs. I have told the team not to get complacent.”
The Indians, meanwhile, were busy devising plans to stop the rival batsmen with their limited attack that is missing four injured frontline bowlers, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Ashish Nehra.
“It’s five actually,” said Ganguly. “We had (Javagal) Srinath at the World Cup but he has now retired. And Zaheer Khan is struggling to find his rhythm after a three-month lay-off due to injury. “The bowlers we have here have failed to get their act together. The pacers have to be more aggressive. Where are the bouncers and yorkers to unsettle the batsmen?” Ganguly asked.
