A view from the Gully (10 June 1999)

10 June 1999

A view from the Gully

Tawfiq Aziz Khan

Whatever happens between India and Pakistan, it has always an element of drama in it. Tuesday's match between these two traditional rivals at Old Trafford, away from home, was no exception. Wasim Akram's patronising attitude about this particular match dubbing it no more than a practice, finally backfired and he is actually into the "crunch" situation which he thought would be the last match against Zimbabwe.

It was difficult to go through what was happening in his mind when he lost the toss and was put into but, but no one with such experience and class would make such an amateurish comment prior to a match against a team like India. Wasim Akram got what he wanted and he must now prove a point or two.

A victory against Pakistan is always the priority for any Indian team and this was no exception either. Once again the Indians proved that in the theatre of World Cup they were the better of the two teams any time, any place. It was a good toss for Azhar to win and, better still, was his decision to bat on a hard surface despite the downpour the night before. Old Trafford is notorious for its weather and there are umpteen examples when play was either curtailed or suspended because of rains. Fortunately, this important match went on without interference from weather and a packed house of 22,500 with a pronounced and boisterous presence of the subcontinentals enjoyed a thrilling encounter that kindled a ray of hope in the Indian hearts for a place in the semis.

The Indians were very cautious in the beginning and they had particular reasons for being so after their match against Australia. The opening pair was weakened in the absence of Ganguly and the thought of McGrath must have been in the minds of Sachin and Rahul. But neither Wasim nor Shoaib was in full cry as they concentrated more on length and line instead of pace. Indian progress was slow but steady. As Tendulkar departed after a rare tennis shot seen in this pajama cricket, the centurian of the last match Ajay Jadeja showed up very briefly. Two quick wickets enlivened the Pakistanis but Azhar knew his job. This was an occasion to get his confidence back and stop his critics. He launched himself with full vigour with only one aim - score runs, and in the process made some uncricketing strokes and a timely half century. But he showed remarkable imagination on field. Once again Rahul Dravid proved he was as good a batsman for tests as for one-dayers.

With four of the Pakistani fielders hobbling around with injuries Wasim Akram was a lost man. He made the injured Saqlain bowl to Azhar and Robin Singh in marauding mood. He could try Afridi or Selim Malik.

The Indian total was modest but at the same time difficult to overhaul in English conditions. The story of the Pakistani chase was no different from their previous ones, specially against Bangladesh. This time the bowling was superior. The top order again buckled under pressure having turned on the heat themselves. It was again left to Moin Khan and Inzamam to reconstruct the innings and that too at a time when Prasad and Srinath became unplayable.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and Pakistan was once again shut out well under 200 mark leaving them smarting under a hattrick of defeats. If the Pakistanis have been doing their homework for taking the second or third place in the Super Six to face a lighter opposition in the semis then they are living in fool's paradise. In this game of cricket all the pieces of jigsaw puzzles do not fall in right places at the right time. Instead they should have cashed in on their four point advantage and tried to be on top so that they could meet the number four in the semifinals. By now they may have missed the boat.

This tournament has so far seen the success of medium pacers and seamers. Very few slow spinners have succeeded compared to their quicker cousins. So, if there be important changes in the Pakistan team for their all-important match against Zimbabwe it should not surprise their supporters.

Erratum:Please read Murray Goodwin in place of Mervyn Goodwin as published on Tuesday. The mistake is regretted.

Source :: The Daily Star