PESHAWAR, 27 August 2003 — Pakistan are looking to wrap up the second Test against Bangladesh which starts today inside four days despite the hot and humid conditions here. Pakistan won the first Test in Karachi on Sunday by seven wickets but had to bat twice and were stretched to the lunch session on the final day.
“In Karachi the pitch was very slow and it suited the Bangladesh team. Our batting also didn’t click in the first innings,” Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said yesterday. “But the pitch conditions here are more suited for the bowlers and we will try to force a result as soon as possible,” he told reporters.
Karachi’s match was Pakistan’s fourth straight win over Bangladesh. It was also the first time since 2001 that Bangladesh took a test into the fifth day. Pakistan is unlikely to make any change to its winning combination against Bangladesh.
“We have not decided as yet. But the hot conditions will test the bowlers. We need to bat first and get a big first innings total,” Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said. “You have to give credit to Bangladesh for the way they played the first test. They showed improvement. But I think our team was also playing a test after a long time and had to get over its one-day mode.”
Pakistan played their first Test in Karachi since losing to South Africa at the Centurion last January. The Test in Peshawar will also be significant for Pakistan’s newcomer Yasir Hameed who scored a record-equaling two hundreds in the first Test against Bangladesh. Hameed, whose two centuries made him only the second player in Test history after West Indian Lawrence Rowe to get two tons on his Test debut, is playing in his hometown.
But the 25-year-old who stroked his way to 170 and 105 at Karachi said he was not feeling any pressure playing in his birth place and home town and would try to repeat his Karachi Test performance in Peshawar. “I know the expectations are high from my people but I am feeling very confident after Karachi and I am capable of handling this extra pressure,” Hameed added.
Hameed has been the focus of attention since arriving here on Monday morning because his late father was a reputed and respected lawyer in the city. His coach believes he has the confidence and ability to score another hundred against Bangladesh, due to play a total of three Tests and five one-day matches during the tour.
Harbhajan Fit for New Zealand Series
Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who underwent physiotherapy for an injured finger last month, will be fit for a two-test series against New Zealand starting in October. “Harbhajan is no longer injured,” Indian coach John Wright told reporters yesterday after a fitness camp in Bangalore. “I think you’ll find he will play in the domestic Irani Cup match and the New Zealand series.”
But there is still a question mark over the readiness of explosive opener Virender Sehwag, who was released by county side Leicestershire last month due to a back injury, and left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra, who underwent ankle surgery in April. All three players have been left out of a domestic one-day tournament to be played in Bangalore early next month.
“We felt the best way for Harbhajan to be introduced to the season was by playing in the longer version of the game instead of going into the one-dayers,” Wright said. India’s premier domestic five-day Irani Cup match, involving Ranji champions Bombay and a Rest of India side, is scheduled in Madras from Sept. 18-22.
Physio Andrew Leipus said Sehwag and Nehra’s progress was being closely watched. India play a two-Test series against New Zealand starting on Oct. 8 in Ahmedabad, followed by a one-day triangular series also involving world champions Australia.
Kiwis to Get Top Security on India Tour
New Zealand’s cricket team will be provided security of the “highest order” on next month’s tour of India following bomb blasts in Bombay, a top Indian board official said yesterday.
“We’ll not compromise on players’ security,” cricket board secretary S.K. Nair said. Nair said the New Zealand cricket board had yet to approach their Indian counterpart, but the hosts were prepared to allay any security fears. “We’ve given strict instructions to all the associations to follow our guidelines on security,” he said, adding the board would not tolerate any crowd trouble such as that marred the West Indies tour of India last year.
Dravid Keen to Stay in Scotland
Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid said in Glasgow yesterday he would like to sign for another season with the Scottish Saltires. The 30-year-old has struck three centuries and two 50s in his nine games for the Scotland side in a successful inaugural season in the National League and is keen to extend his stay.
“Everyone has been very friendly and made me feel very welcome,” Dravid told the BBC. “But obviously a lot of things depend on the international season next year. I have to get permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India who I am contracted to. All things considered, if it’s possible I would definitely like to come back next year.”
