Sport - Cricket

Chance for Pakistan to get into right frame of mind

BIRMINGHAM, SEPT.13. The Champions Trophy has produced mediocre fare as the weeding out process lingers on. The concept of globalisation may have helped some teams attain international status but it has left the cricket world with a big challenge — of getting the minnows to a platform where they can compete against the elite.

Cricket's greatest predicament, when braving the assault by far more globally popular sport, lies in dealing with this globalisation project, so fondly projected by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It is one thing to encourage Japan or China or the United States to enter the fold of this game, but it is also an onerous task to find spectators and sponsors to patronise such contests.

The spectator response for the England-Zimbabwe match or the India-Kenya fixture last week may not have been embarrassing for the organisers but the lack of quality stuff certainly must have caused worry. South Africa thrashing Bangladesh in yet another one-sided encounter was not the best advertisement for the game.

True, Kenya stunned the cricket world by making it to the semifinals of the last World Cup in South Africa but has been groping around since those glorious moments. Steve Tikolo's melancholy at the pre-match conference aptly conveyed the feelings of a sportsman who stood humiliated after being encouraged to join the big league.

Lacklustre fare

There has been no method to ICC's way of finding the best means to keep the minnows busy. The lacklustre fare in the first stage of the Champions Trophy continues with Pakistan scheduled to meet Kenya at Edgbaston on Tuesday. A mismatch is in the offing but from Pakistan's point of view, what shall count is the opportunity to get into the right frame of mind before the big game against India.

Kenya was a disappointment against India, and is unlikely to boost its image in what could be its final appearance in this tournament. The schedule clearly shows the ICC's designs to rid the competition of the minnows in the first half, for we are yet to witness one clash involving the giants of the cricket world thus far.

Pakistan is obviously going to treat the match against Kenya as a testing ground for its plans against India. The new coach, Bob Woolmer, should have a few tactical surprises up his sleeve for the most passionate meeting of the tournament; the Australia-New Zealand clash comes closest in terms of rivalry.

Tough for Kenya

But Pakistan has to deal with Kenya first and come up with an inspiring show. It certainly requires motivation of a different degree when one plays a known weak opponent. Lethargy could prove self-destructive for Pakistan and this is one area it has to guard against.

Kenya has nothing to lose really. If it can sink Pakistan — miracles are quite possible — eyebrows would be raised universally. Knowing Woolmer's professional way of handling such situations, it would be tough for Kenya to repeat its previous acts of victories against India and the West Indies.

Ideally, Pakistan would like to sort out all areas of domination. The batsmen will have the chance to fine-tune their approach in bowler-friendly conditions. The early dampness in the pitch has been a cause of concern for most teams even as experts continue to question the wisdom of having a tournament at this time of the year in England when the weather can be most capricious.

A big score from Shoaib Malik would be most welcome in the Pakistan camp where talent is waiting to explode. These are contests that can set new marks, if not always enhance the standards, and Kenya would distinguish itself if it can put up a fight that may provide the motivation for future. The present, as we know, holds little promise for Steve Tikolo and his men in this contest against a formidable Pakistan.

The teams (from):

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Akhtar, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Moin Khan (wk), Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, Azhar Mahmood, and Naved-ul-Hasan.

Kenya: S. Tikolo (Captain), J. Ababu, R. Aga, H. Modi, T. Odoyo, P. Ongondo, L. Onyango, K. Otieno (wk), M. Ouma, B. Patel, M. Patel, R. Shah, M. Suji, A. Suji. Coach: Andy Moles.

Umpires: Messrs Darrel Hair and Billy Doctrove; Third umpire: Mr. Rudi Koertzen; Match Referee: Mr. Clive Lloyd. — Vijay Lokapally

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