9 April 2005	Saturday	29 Safar 1426

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JAMSHEDPUR, April 8: Pakistan must win the third ODI to have any chance of winning the six-match series at the Keenan Stadium on Saturday.

First, Pakistan must come up with the right combination and changes are likely.

For all its benefits and recent success, relying on part-time spinners during the middle overs hasn’t worked against a batting line as potent as Indians, and pitches as flat as these.

Despite frenzied speculation about a final XI including more specialists, the team management has been unusually reticent about it. Local news reports had suggested that Arshad Khan and Mohammad Sami would be replaced by Rao Iftikhar and Danish Kaneria with vice captain Younis Khan taking Mohammad Hafeez’s place, but team manager Saleem Altaf has denied them.

Younis, attending his second successive press conference in place of captain Inzamamul Haq was non-committal about the final eleven.

“The team has not been decided yet but we’re trying to find the right combination. I am fit but I don’t know yet whether I will be playing.”

What Pakistan does know is that this is a must-win game, a situation burdened with its own distinctive pressure.

“The pressure is there definitely but we are used to it. We made a comeback in the Test series and we can do it here again,” said Younis.

For India, buoyant after two resounding victories, the only dilemma is one of complacency and guarding against it.

“We can’t afford to be complacent. Pakistan is a strong side. We are aware of how they fought back in the Test series after we dominated the first two Tests,” said Rahul Dravid.

Although Indians too have not decided on the team composition, Lakshmipathy Balaji, unsung hero in the Test series, is out with a side strain.

His place is likely to be taken by either Irfan Pathan, jaded in the Test series, or the recalled Ajit Agarkar.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wicketkeeping pinch-hitter and catalyst of Visakhapatnam, looks set to retain his one-down position.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, given it is India and his home state, Dhoni has become an overnight sensation, channels and newspapers relentlessly carrying interviews with him and his parents.

His tinted hair and rock star swagger help, but the new Adam Gilchrist, as some have suggested, he isn’t…yet.

“He was brilliant at one-down in Visakhapatnam and logic says that not many changes should be made. Psychologically he is a good frame of mind and form”, Dravid said.

With the wicket so flat, both sides will love to bat first and post a big total, knowing that a target over 300, whatever the condition of the pitch, isn’t just a problematic one, it is an infrequently conquered one.

“There is always a lot of pressure when you are chasing a big target. 300 is still a rarely achieved target in ODIs,” claimed Dravid.

With talk of unmanageable heat finally receding — it remains hot enough to singe — for Pakistan, after two worryingly comprehensive losses, the series needs to heat up here.

“The series needs a bit of life. The crowd wants close, tight matches, 2-2 going into the last two games,” said Younis.

Tight matches will help, but wins, you feel, close or otherwise, will help Pakistan much more.