The Hindu : Teams charged up for the big match

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 01, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Teams charged up for the big match

By Vijay Lokapally

India will be looking up to Javagal Srinath's firepower for early breakthroughs in a cracker of a contest against Pakistan at the SuperSport Park, Centurion on Saturday. Right: In old warhorse Wasim Akram, Pakistan has an inspiring all-rounder who would want to upset India's calculations . — Photos: V.V. Krishnan

CENTURION FEB. 28. Win, or else... this is the unfortunate refrain in either camp. Welcome to India-Pakistan cricket!

Deserted streets in Bombay and Lahore; the hysterical and meaningless hype preceding the contest; the pressure on the teams not to lose; it is cricket time again as India and Pakistan meet on the field with masses on either side of the border unfortunately equating it with something more serious.

The most fascinating contest of the ICC Cricket World Cup comes up on Saturday with hopes of a cracker. The fireworks are likely to fly as one anticipates the players to step into a zone where only the best survive. India is positive it will win. So is Pakistan. It is this confidence that focusses the attention of the cricket world on this scenic venue.

There will be the usual talk by a small section of people who do not belong to this game of reviving the India-Pakistan cricket ties when it is universally acknowledged that this is a subject not worth a debate in the current scenario. The people on either side lack the right spirit to accept a defeat.

Shattered windows or countless garlands. The reactions can be extreme and this is what the players dread the most. It is not that they are not aware of the high expectations back home but then only one team can win. It is the loser who faces the wrath of the people.

Neville Cardus' immortal line that cricket reflects the society we live in is best signified in the present build up to the India-Pakistan match. The teams are stunned at the media hype where opinions of every Tom, Dick and Harry is being sought on what can be a sensitive matter.

Only the other day the Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar said that the match ought to be treated as just another game of cricket. Within he would have known that he was only making a weak effort at creating a cushion just in case...

An India-Pakistan contest can never remain just another match. The sentiments attached to the relationship between the two nations often overshadow a good game of cricket. The players have come to accept such tricky situations as occupational hazards.

But the match on Saturday must be seen in the right perspective. The team that plays well on that particular day will win. Now that must not give the impression that the winner can exercise a spell of superiority on the other. Consistency shall be the password for either team with the emphasis on overcoming the pressures that build from within and outside.

Mutual respect

Needless to say it will be a test of character for the players. Mental toughness, ability to raise one's game and the desire to perform on the big stage shall decide the course of the contest.

In the backdrop of the animosity between the two nations, it would be pertinent to point to the respect the teams have for each other. When Akhtar says Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batsman on earth he means it. Most of the Pakistan players enjoyed watching India beating England the other night at Kingsmead.

Wasim Akram's warmth when he meets the Indians is seen to be believed. Not many know how he has gone out of the way to help Ashish Nehra develop his skills. Akram also commands respect among the Indians for his colossal achievements as an all-rounder in both the forms of the game.

Akram's figure will loom large on Saturday. He remains the greatest threat to India despite the fact that Akhtar, with his dubious action, can be a destructive force with his speed.

As for India, it has to concentrate on attaining the consistency that saw the trio of Javagal Srinath, Nehra and Zaheer Khan display such lethal firepower at the Kingsmead.

One would obviously expect one big innings from one of its big players. After all, it is all about excelling on the big stage and nothing can be bigger than the Centurion Park.

Like Akram for Pakistan, it will be Srinath for India. The veteran has made some pledges to himself and set a few targets.

Srinath is working on accomplishing the most significant achievement of his career, a win at the World Cup.

"It's a dream I've cherished and that's why I was so keen to play in this World Cup,'' Srinath had said before the tournament. The veteran speedster is now at the peak of his career, having discovered ways to bowl to his reputation.

All areas of the game shall count in this exciting and crucial group `A' match with India toiling to finish second with a win.

For the first time in many years, India looks supremely confident of taming the might of Pakistan on the cricket field.

So, countrymen, remember. Celebrate a win when they win. But don't condemn the players if they don't. If the players have shown maturity in respecting each other on the cricket field, it is time the masses too emulate the same.

`Just another game'

Sourav Ganguly has termed the match against Pakistan as just another match. Just as Shoaib Akhtar has said. Just as Dravid had earlier.

``It's a game after all and that's how it should be. I don't want to go into the politics involved but for us it's a world cup game, just as we play any other nation. It's just another game for us.''

How did he react to Akram saying that India did not play Pakistan because it was scared to lose? "I can't comment on this question. Those are his opinions and he's free to say what he wants. I'm not keen to answer these questions.''

His views on Akram as a bowler. "He's a legend and I've always been a fan of his and his records speak volumes for his ability. It always feels good when you score runs against him.''

How big was this game for the millions of fans back home? "Obviously a big game and that's a fact that we have to accept and get along. If we start thinking it's a big game, we put too much pressure on us. We're here to win the World Cup, not just do well against Pakistan. So we are looking at the World Cup as a whole.''

Do you think Durban should host a semifinal, especially a day-night game? ''No, don't think so. Neither in Durban nor in Cape Town. The toss makes a big difference.''

Waqar Younis said, "It'll be a hell of a game and very aggressive. But in our camp we have experienced cricketers who'll take this as a game,'' said Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis. On Ganguly's remark that Pakistan blows hot one day and cold another day, Younis smiled and said "we hope to make it a hot day tomorrow for us. Wasim (Akram) will be a key player as he has hit form with his 500 wickets. All we have to do is control our nerves, stay focussed and play a hard game of cricket tomorrow,'' he added.

The teams (from):

India: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Sanjay Bangar and Parthiv Patel.

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (capt), Saeed Anwar, Taufeeq Umar, Saleem Elahi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdur Razzaq, Yousuf Youhana, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akam, Muhammad Sami, Rashid Latif, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan.

Umpires: M/s. Rudi Koertzen and David Shepherd; Third umpire: Mr. Billy Bowden; Fourth umpire: Mr. C. Pickett; Match Referee: Mike Procter.

Hours of play: 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 5.45 p.m. onwards.

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