COLOMBO, July 14: Pakistan cricket team was in top shape on Wednesday to defend Asia Cup title with captain Inzamamul Haq praising the team balance and the hectic training sessions during the last fortnight.
"We are in top gear and the difference in our performance could be seen on the ground," said Inzamam in the Asia Cup launching press conference. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) launched the eighth Asia Cup in a colourful press briefing with ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq announcing Indian Oil are the main sponsors of the tournament which carries a prize money of US$180,000 with the winners pocketting US$87,000.
For Inzamam and his 13 fellow players the day began with a two-hour morning session at the Colombo beach, just in front of the Taj Samudra hotel where the teams are staying and then a two and a half hour net and exercise session in the 32 degree but 70 percent humidity at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Players were blindfolded and were asked to search a rugby ball to increase the concentration level during the session. Inzamam claimed Pakistan's expensive foreign hirings, coach Woolmer, trainer Murray Stevenson and physio Darryn Lifson - all on their first assignments - have made a telling difference.
Inzamam is of the opinion that they have not only raised team's fitness but also the sagging morale after India defeat. "People say that we have hired expensive people but that was needed for Pakistan cricket.
The differences are there to observe but I must add that we will have to wait for the results to come," said Inzamam. The talking points here have been Pakistan's foreign hirings and Inzamam-Shoaib differences and Javed Miandad's sacking.
"We do not have any differences and that would be seen on the ground, Shoaib is fit and is raring to go. He is our main bowler and with a balanced team we are here to do our best.
"What has happened in the past is history and we are here to defend our title against some good teams like India and Sri Lanka and I am confident that we are up to the task," Inzamam said.
Pakistan broke their Asia Cup jinx in 2000 when they lifted their first title in seven attepmts in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The first Asia Cup was held in Sharjah in 1984 which was won by India.
Sri Lanka hosted the second edition in 1986 and won it in the absence of India while India won the third edition held in Bangladesh in 1988. Three years later India defended the event as hosts which was not participated by Pakistan.
India completed hat trick of Asia Cup titles by winning it in 1995 held in Sharjah. Sri Lanka won the event as hosts in 1997. "From 1991 to 1995 we had a sort of a jinx when we played the Asia Cup but hopefully its two out of two this time," said Pakistan captain.
Woolmer, sitting next to Inzamam, said he would like to note the difference in the Pakistan team. "This is my first opportunity to see the team play a big event and I would like the team to make the most of it. It is a tough event with teams like India and Sri Lanka to beat," said Woolmer, who replaced Miandad last month.
Hot on their heels against Pakistan will be India and Sri Lanka. India warmed up with a thumping nine wicket win against Fast Track Academy on Wednesday with Sachin Tendulkar taking two wickets and scoring fifty and Virender Sehwag 51 (both retired), Saurav Ganguly 39 not out and Yuvraj Singh 37 not out. Just for a change Rahul Dravid was dismissed for a first-ball duck.
"India is obviously anticipating tough fight from Pakistan and Sri Lanka and to cope with the challenge to get going early would be very important," said Indian coach John Wright, who had to apologise for captain Ganguly's absence.
Wright said Ganguly was informed late about the press briefing, which surprised all. Also missing from the launching press conference were the Sri Lankan team officials who were due to arrive on Thursday after completing their tour of Australia.
SCHEDULE
Group A: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong. Group B: Sri Lanka, India, United Arab Emirates.
Preliminary league:
July 16: Bangladesh v Hong Kong (SSC, Colombo); India v UAE (Dambulla, D/N).
July 17: Pakistan v Bangladesh (SSC, Colombo); Sri Lanka v UAE (Dambulla, D/N).
July 18: Pakistan v Hong Kong (SSC, Colombo); Sri Lanka v India (Dambulla, D/N).
Super League:
July 21: A2 v B2 (SSC, Colombo; A1 v B1 (RPS, Colombo, D/N).
