KANPUR (India), April 14: Having revived themselves with back-to-back victories, embellished with the exhilarating last-ball win at Ahmedabad, clearly the momentum has shifted towards the resurgent Pakistan side as they prepare to face India in the fifth One-day International here on Friday. Even though vice-captain Younis Khan doesn’t agree, Pakistan will go into the crucial penultimate match of the series in high spirits.
“In one-day cricket there is no such thing as momentum, what happens on the day is important,” he said on Thursday. “We are peaking at the right time, but we need to play well in the last two games to win the series.”
For this, much of the credit goes to the batting. With Shahid Afridi finally regaining form at Ahmedabad, all top-order batsmen have made vital contributions now. But pivotally, with Shoaib Malik bowling again, amidst much contention and conjecture, a balance has been struck.
In both victories, his role has been crucial, coming in at the top of the order and providing impetus through sustained intelligent batting. But because he is bowling again, it has allowed Pakistan to strengthen their batting by bringing in Younis.
“Malik hasn’t bowled for a long time, but he’s done well and is getting his rhythm back. He has enough confidence to bowl at the death for us and he gives us more options,” said Younis.
In contrast, there is mild disarray in the Indian camp. Saurav Ganguly’s six-match ban immediately after Ahmedabad for consistently slow over-rates initially resulted in him being dropped from the squad. But an appeal was launched, theoretically allowing him to play. But against a backdrop of trenchant criticism over his form and captaincy, confusion prevailed as to whether he would.
Rahul Dravid, stand-in captain, was equally perplexed. “We have had no intimation of what is happening, but we are focused and have to concentrate on the match. The rest is out of our hands.”
Eventually, the Indian cricket board released a statement asking Ganguly not to play in this match.
“Since less than 24 hours remain for the start of the Kanpur match, the board felt it is extremely important for the players to concentrate and focus on the match so that they could bring out the best performance,” the board’s secretary S.K. Nair said in a statement. “In view of this, the board has decided to continue with the selected team for the Kanpur match.”
Additionally, Irfan Pathan has been dropped and replaced by veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble.
If Kumble plays, as Dravid says, “his experience will be valuable.”
His role, particularly, in stifling the Pakistan top and middle order might prove critical.
“Inzamam, Malik and Youhana have been hurting us really badly and we have to control the way they score runs in the middle overs,” said Dravid.
The pitch, as is the wont of Green Park Stadium, is likely to be low and slow with little help for quicker bowlers. The only change Pakistan might consider would be swapping Danish Kaneria’s attacking but expensive leg-spin for Arshad Khan’s defensive off-spin.
For India, one of Harbhajan Singh or Kumble is likely to partner Murali Kartik as the second spinner, at the expense of a pace bowler. Dinesh Mongia’s middle order batting and useful left-arm spin provides an alternative for Ganguly.
Ironically, given his poor form, Ganguly’s absence could prove to be a fillip for India; he has been thus far their weakest link in the middle order with 31 runs and his move to promote himself above Dravid at number four, widely condemned.
“It’s a good challenge for the whole squad with the series at 2-2. We are looking forward to the game,” said Dravid.
Pakistan will be looking to banish memories of last year when they lost both the Test and ODI series. Younis said: “We only drew the Test series here so we are keen to win the ODI series.”
