LAHORE, Pakistan, 23 March 2004 — A war of words broke out between two Pakistani cricket legends yesterday after archrivals India engineered a remarkable comeback to level the one-day series 2-2.

The tourists kept their cool in the make-or-break game under lights at the Gaddafi stadium here on Sunday to overtake Pakistan’s 293-9 with five overs to spare and set up the decider at the same venue tomorrow.

Former Pakistani captain Imran Khan and current coach Javed Miandad differed on the idea of appointing a bowling coach for the team after the hosts sent down a staggering 58 wides and 40 no-balls in the four matches.

Fiery fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was the worst culprit on Sunday, conceding 14 wides in his 2-63 in nine overs. New-ball partner Shabbir Ahmed gave away five no-balls and a wide in 0-62 from seven overs.

“It does not need a rocket scientist to realize the team needs a bowling coach to sort out its problems,” said Imran, one of the game’s great all-rounders who led Pakistan to World Cup victory in 1992.

“No team can afford to concede so many extra runs and hope to win. Both the captain (Inzamam ul-Haq) and coach (Miandad) are batsmen and do not have the expertise to look after the bowlers’ troubles.

“When we have former seamer Aqib Javed as the junior coach, there is no reason why he cannot be called on to help the senior bowlers.”

Miandad conceded the undisciplined work by his bowlers was a worry, but did not agree with Imran that a specialist bowling coach was the need of the hour.

“What can a bowling coach do when the player himself does not want to improve?” Miandad told AFP. “A coach can only guide from outside, it is up to the bowler to improve and overcome the flaw.

“Bowlers like Imran, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis used to work hard at the nets and sort out their problems. The current bowlers need to work harder and show some discipline.

“We might have to ask them to speak to the bowlers again.”

“The situation is the same for both teams,” he said. “But there is more pressure on us as we are playing at home. The Indians have proved what a world class batting side they are. We were supposed to have a better bowling attack but it has been found wanting.”

Inzamam, caught in the crossfire between the former greats, chose to play safe.

“We did not bowl well at all,” he said. “But I have a lot of faith in my bowlers and I am confident they will do better in the decider.”

Sunday’s defeat was Pakistan’s first in their last eight matches at the Gaddafi stadium here since 2000.