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SHARJAH, April 16: Pakistan made a strong comeback into the Sharjah Cup 2002 but not before giving some early jitters to their supporters in qualifying for Wednesday’s final against Sri Lanka.
In the earlier matches — of which they won one and lost two — the team played in bits and pieces. Teamwork was missing and so was the will to win.
But Monday’s match against New Zealand was a transformation. For the first time they bowled well, batted superbly and were disciplined in fielding.
The one individual who was however consistent from the first match, among the bunch of inconsistents was Imran Nazir. He has by now amply proved his point that he was wronged by the PCB and the selectors. He has given a very good account of himself, his one year lay over not withstanding.
Saqlain Mushtaq bowled a very tidy and rewarding spell and it is good that he has now come to terms at the right time — two days before the final. He set the ball rolling for Pakistan’s all important success Monday and the Pakistan camp should feel happy that they have their ‘Murali’ in form.
Talking about Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan) the Pakistanis will have to negotiate him shrewdly and with skill. If they try to ‘bully’ him from the word go they may fall into his trap.
After all Muralitharan has to bowl only 10 overs and if Pakistani batsmen avoid the big hits and content themselves to four or five runs per over they would still be able to collect some 40 valuable runs without much risk. There are other bowlers also for slogging and they should wait for them.
The other Lankan spinners Upul Chandana, Sanath Jayasuriya and Russel Arnold are not in Murali’s class. Imran and Yousuf Youhana and later on Inzamam-ul-Haq can easily handle them.
What if important is that Shahid Afridi is told in clear cut terms that he better restrain himself and let Imran do most of the scoring, at least for the five to seven overs —like Monday. Obviously he cannot be kept in chains for long. But he batted very sensibly Monday. Everyone was pleasantly surprised.
Pakistan still have an edge over the Sri Lankans, having won 56 out of the 92 one-dayers they have played against them. They have lost 33 including two in this tournament. Wednesday’s all-important match will be the 93rd clash.
AGENCIES ADD: “The victory (on Monday) has given the team a new confidence,” Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis said.
“No doubt, we lost both of our matches (to Sri Lanka), but that’s history. What counts now is the mood of the team, which is very positive.
“We need a good start from our openers Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir. And if that happens it would make no difference whether win or lose the toss.”
“Basically, we did nothing wrong in our last league matches (against Sri Lanka). Our second match, in particular, was pretty close,” said Waqar.
In that match Sri Lanka pacers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa conceded just nine in last three overs to guide their team to a nine-run victory.
Jayasuriya, meanwhile, is wary of taking a Sri Lankan victory for granted.
“You can never predict how a final goes, it all depends on how well the teams take the pressure of a crunch match,” Jayasuriya said.
The Sri Lankan captain knows victory is never a certainty. Six months back, his team lost the Champions Trophy final here to Pakistan despite being the fad team after the league stage.
“We have not forgotten what happened here last October,” he said. “That defeat still hurts and we are determined to make up for it.”
Five of the six league matches were won by sides batting first and both Jayasuriya and Waqar conceded winning the toss could be vital.
“There is a lot of pressure chasing targets in a final and although we did that well against New Zealand, I think batting first is a better option,” Waqar conceded. “It’s not been a big-scoring tournament so far, but the final could provide some fireworks.”
If Waqar thinks the openers hold the key to their success, his counterpart will be banking on his spin-pace attack to deliver the goods.
“The wicket here is taking a bit of spin and I hope Murali comes good again,” said Jayasuriya, referring to his off-spinner who took three wickets for 27 runs as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 41 runs in their first match.
“I think the biggest plus of our team is that Vaas and Zoysa are bowling pretty well and giving full support to Murali.
“I dont want to predict the outcome of the final, but we have faith in our abilities to repeat our league performances,” he said.
Teams:
PAKISTAN (likely): Waqar Younis (captain), Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq.
SRI LANKA (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeratne, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Muttiah Muralitharan, Buddika Fernando, Kumar Dharmasena, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Dilhara Fernando.
