Sport - Cricket

A total team effort: Inzamam

By Our Principal Correspondent

AHMEDABAD, APRIL 12. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who displayed nerves of steel at the crunch to enable Pakistan clinch the fourth ODI and level the six-match Pepsi Cup series, termed the last-ball victory in the high-scoring humdinger as a `total team effort.'

"The fact that the top-order maintained a high scoring rate helped us tide over the drop in rate later in the innings," said the Pakistan skipper at the post-match press conference.

Inzamam felt the back-to-back victories did not necessarily make Pakistan a strong favourite for the remaining two clashes.

Pointing out that India had gone two-nil up at the start of the series, he said, "Everyday is a new day, especially in one-day cricket."

Turning points

Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid said Shoaib Malik's partnerships with Abdul Razzaq and Inzamam were the turning points. "We did not maintain pressure in the middle overs and allowed them easy singles," said Dravid.

"I thought we could have fielded and bowled better. We have to improve our all-round game in the next two matches. It is not enough if we bat well or bowl well alone, we will have to do consistently well in both departments as well as in fielding," said Dravid, who will lead in the remaining two ODIs in Ganguly's absence.

"Inzamam batted exceptionally well today, and Pakistan's confidence will be high after two straight wins, but that does not mean we are out of the series," he said.Asked why Sachin Tendulkar was brought on for the last over, Dravid said, "We wanted to use Tendulkar's experience."

Meanwhile, BCCI joint secretary Gautam Dasgupta announced the team for the remaining two ODIs.

There are only two changes to the existing 15-member squad. Tamil Nadu left-hander S. Sriram replaces Sourav Ganguly, and leg-spinner Anil Kumble comes in for Irfan Pathan.

Dravid will lead the team in place of Ganguly, who has been slapped with a six ODI ban for the team's slow bowling over-rates.

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