January 21, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 20, 1426

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FAISALABAD, Jan 20: The weather, which reduced the opening Test in Lahore to a no-contest, is unlikely to make much impact when Pakistan and India clash in the second Test at the Iqbal Stadium from Saturday.

For the second day running, the sun shone brightly for most parts on Friday that could make a difference to the pitch, which was like a dead horse in Lahore where the batsmen turned into merciless butchers as the meaningless Test yielded six centuries, 1089 runs and just eight wickets.

In addition, as many as 220.1 overs remained unused in Lahore chiefly because of poor light conditions.

Despite the stop-start interludes, Virender Sehwag ensured India head into the second Test of the three-match series with psychological advantage after bludgeoning his way to a 247-ball 254.

The Faisalabad meteorological department predicts the first two days of this Test might be slightly disturbed, but indicates sunny spells on the remaining three days.

According to rival captains, Inzamamul Haq and Rahul Dravid, the pitch here appears to offer hope to the bowlers because of some grass on the beige-coloured surface which was watered 18 hours before Saturday’s starting time of 9.45am.

For one man the stage is set for a nostalgic return to Iqbal Stadium.

Sachin Tendulkar showed initial signs of what to come with a maiden half-century (59) in only his second Test at the tender age of 16 way back in November 1989.

Since then India’s little maestro, who turns 33 in April, has gone on to become one of the world’s premier batsmen with a staggering 24,232 international runs, including 10,323 in 127 Tests with the help of 73 centuries — a world record 35 of them in Test cricket.

Incidentally, that was the last time the Indians played in Faisalabad.

So far, only one Test in four between these traditional rivals culminated in an outright result when Pakistan strolled to a 10-wicket victory in the third Test of the 1982-83 six-match series.

Pakistan’s biggest worry is to find ways and means to see the back of Sehwag as quickly as possible.

The Indian vice-captain has virtually made a habit of reserving his best for Pakistani bowlers, having scored over 1200 runs against them with four big centuries, including an Indian record 309 at Multan on the last tour.

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, is aware of danger that the imposing Sehwag poses.

“We must let ourselves go on the defensive. The guys have discussed different tactics at team meetings to get Sehwag out cheaply. I can’t see any reason for not being able to achieve our prime objective.”

Despite the docile nature of Lahore pitch, Pakistan lacked control when Sehwag was in savage mood.

Barring Shoaib Akhtar, who commanded respect even during the monumental Sehwag-Dravid 410-run partnership, the rest failed to stop the flow of runs.

Mohammad Sami, for one, is under pressure to keep his place after a string of disappointing performances.

The paceman apparently gives the impression that he lacks in self-confidence.

At the moment he is feeling less than 100 per cent fit because of flu.

At the pre-match media briefing, Inzamam admitted that a couple of changes were on the cards in the Lahore Test playing XI.

If that is the case then Sami is certain to make way for Mohammad Asif, the lively 23-year-old Sheikhupura-born medium-pacer.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq is another option for Inzamam to consider, probably at the expense of the hardworking Rana Navedul Hasan which could itself be another surprise because Razzaq missed the England Tests on fitness grounds.

Moreover, these days Razzaq doesn’t have the pace to threaten the formidable Indian batting line-up. 

India, on the other hand, may also bring a change in the bowling department.

The experienced left-arm medium-pacer Zaheer Khan is being tipped to get a look in after being sidelined for the recent home series against Sri Lanka.

Teams (from):

PAKISTAN: Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamamul Haq (captain), Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Rana Navedul Hasan, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Arshad Khan, Imran Farhat.

INDIA: Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (captain), Vangipurappu Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan, Parthiv Patel, Wasim Jaffer, Rudra Pratap Singh.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Simon Taufel (Australia).

TV umpire: Zameer Haider (Pakistan).

Reserve umpire: Rasheed Bhatti.

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).