COLOMBO, 21 July 2004 — Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq said yesterday his team needed to win the opening Asia Cup Super League match against Sri Lanka in order to boost their confidence for the rest of the tournament.
“The first match in the Super League is important,” Inzamam said ahead of today’s clash against the hosts. “If we win, our confidence will soar for the game against India.” India take on Bangladesh in today’s other Super League match. The four teams play each other once with the top two advancing to the final on Aug. 1.
Inzamam, who side clashes with arch rivals India on Sunday, said he was relieved Pakistan were not the tournament favorites since it allowed them to perform in pressure-free conditions.
“We are happy that all the attention is on India and Sri Lanka and that allows us to play our matches without pressure,” he said. Pakistan won both their preliminary Group A matches against Bangladesh and first-timers Hong Kong.
Sri Lanka topped group B after beating India and the United Arab Emirates.
New Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer said his team was looking beyond the “needle” clash against Saurav Ganguly’s Indians.
“Every time these two teams play it is a big match with a lot of emotions attached to it,” he said.
“But I think the players are looking beyond the India match. I don’t think they are seeking any revenge, but they remain stunned by their home defeats against India and it will be a needle encounter.”
Pakistan lost both the one-day and Test series against India at home in March-April.
India go into the super league worried over the fitness to key fast bowler Zaheer Khan and the batting form.
Zaheer is doubtful due to a hamstring injury sustained while fielding during the last game against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on Sunday.
“Zaheer is a concern, especially for the match against Bangladesh,” Ganguly said of the paceman, who is likely to be replaced with Ashish Nehra.
Zaheer, with 126 wickets in 84 one-dayers, has been in and out of the team for the past eight months due to the injury. He missed a major part of the Australian tour last season before skipping two Tests in Pakistan.
The famed Indian batting also failed to live up its reputation in the first two matches, with Rahul Dravid alone looking in good touch with a hundred and a half-century.
“We still have an opportunity,” Ganguly said. “The points system is such that we start all over again and hence we will have the chance to make amends.”
Sri Lanka are hopeful that captain Marvan Atapattu and hard-hitting opener Sanath Jayasuriya will be fit for the Super League matches.
Jayasuriya missed the last match against India due to a side strain, while Atapattu left the field after compiling a half-century due to a sore throat.
“We hope Sanath will be fit,” the captain said. “We want him in the side as soon as possible. We have many options when he plays.”
