27 October 1998
Azhar seeks Dhaka hat-trick
CricInfo365
As two personal records are ahead of the Indian captain, Mohammad
Azharuddin, he is highly confident to win the Wills International Cup,
which would become the third trophy for his country in Bangladesh.
"Obviously we will like to improve our record by clinching the third
trophy in Dhaka as we already have two," said the most successful
Indian skipper who makes a record of playing 300 one-day when he goes
for the toss on Wednesday.
He touched the world record of playing the highest number of one-day
matches (273) during the Independence Cup also in Dhaka early this
year and his team won the trophy. India clinched the Asia Cup Trophy
in 1988 in Dhaka.
Azharuddin needs just 95 more runs to pass Desmond Haynes' world
record of 8648 runs in one-day internationals.
"I know all are enthusiastically waiting ... I know my father's
excitement," he said ahead of the milestone, recalling his father,
grandfather, all of his school and boyhood friends as well as others
whose contribution took him to this position.
Addressing a press conference at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka Monday, the
tall handsome guy, however, laid more emphasis on his team's
performance to win the one-off "do-or-die" tournament.
"We believe in team sprit and will play collectively to confirm the
hattrick of winning trophies in Bangladesh," he said.
Azharuddin along with team manager Anshuman Gaekwad came to the hotel
straight from practice ground where his team-mates were on warm-up.
The Indians who arrived in Dhaka Sunday will take on Australia in the
third quarter final of the Wills Cup on Wednesday.
Asked about their opponent, Azhar once again said they consider every
team as tough and strong. The Indian captain informed that he will bat
on number three position, but "the batting order can be changed for
match's demand. He also informed that he would take decision whether
to bat or field after the toss. And added Gaekwad: "Even New Zealand
can win the trophy as nothing is certain in one-day cricket." [New
Zealand have been eliminated since.]
As the pre-quarter final and first quarter final were high scoring
matches, Azharuddin expects their quarter final against Australia will
also be a good scoring one. "Our batting line is very strong and we
are optimistic."
As Bangabandhu National Stadium is a lucky ground for India, specially
where they won the Independence Cup by chasing a huge 314 of Pakistan,
Azhar said their playing experience in Dhaka will not be an extra
advantage.
When asked whether their morale is down after the one-off Test defeat
to Zimbabwe and also a one-dayer, the veteran Indian said: it does for
a while, but we played a lot of matches and our record is good. Boys'
morale is still high.
"All the players are very enthusiastic to show their best
performances. We will do our best and we expect a very good result in
the tournament," said Azharuddin, always supported by Dhaka crowd.
Anshuman Gaekwad told the newsmen that they had a conditioning camp
before flying to Dhaka. "And again the basics were renewed in the
camp," he said when asked what new was trained by Simpson.
He said they had no extra preparation for the first ever bowls-off in
an international tournament. "Bowlers always practise to break the
stump and that's all," he said adding five bowlers will instantly be
selected if it comes.
The Indian squad:
Mohammad Azharuddin (capt), Ajay Jadeja, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav
Ganguly, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Sunil Joshi,
Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Rahul Dravid, VVS
Laxman, Nikhil Chopra.
Source :: CricInfo365