LAHORE, March 21: Rahul Dravid and Inzamamul Haq refuted claims on Sunday that the fourth one-dayer was fixed. India levelled the series 2-2 by winning the fourth match leaving the fate of the series to the fifth game to be played at the same venue on Wednesday.
"There is no question of the matches being fixed. It is better if the media ask questions about cricket and not speculate what people are saying," Dravid, the Indian vice-captain, told reporters in his post-match press conference,
Inzamam, the Pakistan skipper, was not forthcoming either when posed the same question. Dravid added that his team would try to wrap up the series. He said that the Indian top order, despite losing four wickets at 90, had set a good pace for the win.
Kaif and my first priority was to stay at the crease and play out the 50 overs that would have automatically brought win for us. This strategy worked perfectly for us," said Dravid.
Dravid said that Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami and Shabbir bowled well in the series, particularly at Peshawar. Kaif believed that his Sunday's innings would help him out to play with more confidence in the remaining match of the tour.
Inzamam lamented that his bowlers could not rise to the occasion, but added, he had a complete confidence in them. He claimed that the batting line-up was doing good job but Pakistan bowlers, so far, lacked in rhythm.
Inzamam said Shahid Afridi, who failed to give Pakistan a good start as opener in the second consecutive match, was included in the team because the team needed a sixth bowler.
He, however, hinted at the inclusion of opener Taufiq Umar for the series decider. "We have already picked Taufiq in the 15-man line-up and he could get a chance in the final match."
