24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

COLOMBO, July 23: Pakistan, who are facing the prospect of an early elimination from the Asia Cup, had a strenuous session in the nets on Friday before spending considerable time in a swimming pool and gymnasium in preparation for the do-or-die clash against India on Sunday.

After Thursday's rest day, the players appeared a bit relaxed but still showed signs of nervousness. Their body language suggested that they were under pressure.

Defeat against India will not only be disastrous in the context of this tournament but also plunge Pakistan cricket into a new crisis.

Pakistan's abject surrender against Sri Lanka on Wednesday has shocked the game's experts. Even the locals here are upset by tame surrender of Inzamamul Haq and his boys against the host country.

India also are under pressure. In case Saurav Ganguly's men lose both their matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka they will automatically go out of the competition. However, the prospects of them making an early exit are remote compared to the plight Pakistan are in.

With Sri Lanka almost assured of a place in the final, Pakistan will not only have to overcome India, who of late have found an edge over their neighbours, and Bangladesh but also must secure two bonus points.

It is a tall order but not impossible considering the talent Pakistan team possesses. One hopes the team forgets the previous encounter and gives its best shot against India who are not as invincible as world champions Australia.

Though the team management is putting up a brave face, claiming that all is not lost, it knows well it is not going to be an easy outing on Sunday. Pakistan think tank's main worry is batting.

The manner in which the established batsmen flopped is beyond comprehension and that too on a bland strip at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The Sri Lankans bowled brilliantly and were backed by excellent support in the field.

India's bowling, which is at par with Sri Lanka's, if not better, will certainly test Pakistan's brittle batting which will once again likely to miss Imran Farhat. The left-handed opening batsman is still nursing an ankle injury he sustained during practice before the game against Sri Lanka.

Another worry in the Pakistan camp emerged on Thursday when Yasir Hameed reported stomach disorder and missed the training session. The experiment of sending Shoaib Malik at the crucial No 3 position failed against Sri Lanka to compound batting problems for Pakistan as team's second most experienced batsman Yousuf Youhana, the vice-captain, is unwilling to bat at number three.

Such an attitude is not helping the team's cause. Pakistan's bowling attack is adequate but they need runs from their batsmen to have a fighting chance of restricting their opponents.

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Sami on their day are capable of ripping apart the best of batting lineups, but that only happens occasionally nowadays. The spin department, on the other hand, is virtually non-existent as neither Danish Kaneria nor Shoaib Malik are match-winners.