Stage set for the final showdown (20 June 1999)

20 June 1999

Stage set for the final showdown

Nizamuddin Ahmed at Lord's

June 19: The stage is set for tomorrow's final of the 1999 cricket World Cup. Everything is spick-and-span, trim and proper. The Lord's is bedecked for the big day no less than London is today for the Royal wedding of Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones.

Forty-one matches since June 14, when it all began on this very ground, the Wembley of cricket, the Cannes of the gentleman's game, reigning runners-up Australia will take on 1996 quarterfinalists Pakistan in the combat that will decide who will kiss 'the golden globe and the three silver columns', worth stupendously more than the measly 27,000- sterling pounds it took to craft it.

The war (or 'Waugh') of words is on. Australia have issued their Warne-ing. Pakistan are 'Inza-mood' to play positive. Everyone is going crazy around here. Fatigue? Relief that the last of the marathon competition is finally here? Or, more likely, high expectations of the Millennium's last final? Seeding has changed over the past three years. Steve Waugh admitted Australia, only survivor of the 1996 semi-finals, have learnt lessons form their Lahore final defeat to Sri Lanka. Nor are Pakistan suffering from any inferiority hang-up for not making the grade last time. This is a whole new ball game. The two finalists have proved to be generously gifted of superbly talented players that are hardened both physically and mentally.

That is what the war of words is all about.

Wasim Akram fires the first salvo, "To have to win to get to the semi-finals and then to get to the final must be tough. It will be our advantage. We are mentally tougher."

It is returned straight away by Steve Waugh, "That's a laugh, isn't it? If we are mentally weak, we would have succumbed by now."

Steve, who was in Alan Border's winning side of 1987, said, "We are well prepared for a tough game."

The two captains were only carrying on what the rival supporters started since Australia so dramatically reached the final after last Thursday's tied semi-final at Edgbaston with pre-tournament favourites South Africa.

While the Australians may be blamed for lack of creativity as they shouted 'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Go, go, go!', the Pakistanis responded, 'Wish you happiness till next Saturday'. Not even till Sunday morning! And of course the ever-so-familiar, 'Pakistan jitega' (Pakistan will win) yell.

They booed and jeered each other as they passed on the road, always with a ring of laughter. It was all good-natured fun.

On a more serious vein, Steve Waugh, reflecting on the Lahore loss, disclosed, "We did not really do our homework. We were a bit complacent after a great semi-final, thinking it was going to happen again."

Waugh announced, "This time it will be different. Pakistan are an excellent side, but we are better prepared to get up for this game."

Counter from Wasim Akram, "We don't have to think the opposition is tough - just that we are better than them."

"If we play to our full potential we can win it and it looks as if everything is falling into proper place for the final," said the innovative captain.

Wasim was talking as a captain who wants to win to fulfil the prayers of millions of cricket fans back in Pakistan and the world over. Returning as captain for how many times, even Wasim 'did not remember', the amiable speedster who was losing his fuel, has been instrumental in bringing about team spirit and harmony - qualities not always attributed to the Pakistan squad.

Despite the hype, Australia externally said they were not worried about Shoaib Akhtar's pace. "It's the reverse swing that's going to be difficult," admitted Waugh.

Wasim would not disagree, "We know in the final that the white ball will reverse-swing in the middle and end part of the innings, and anyone chasing six-an-over against us will find it very difficult."

Steve Waugh said they would rely on South Africa's enviable record against Pakistan.

"South Africa have beaten Pakistan the last 13 times.

"That suggests that the way they play must be the right way. If we can put some of those plans to play, we have a good chance."

Wrist-spinner Shane Warne, who demolished the West Indies at the Mohali semi-final in 1996 and again turned the 1999 semi-final in Australia's favour in a replica performance at Edgbaston, was also brimming with confidence. Fat boy Warne said, "I reckon now we are destined to win the World Cup. I am absolutely convinced."

As summer finally arrived in England, there is a degree of cricketomania in the air. A Pakistani taxi-driver put up a flag on his car antenna and grimly went about his duty. Another stuck his body out of his car's sun-roof and made a big grin while holding aloft the green-and-white flag; he was too happy even to talk. Others put up signs on their car window, "Have you got a ticket for the final?"

Incidentally, hundred pound tickets for the final are going at thousand a piece, and is expected to rise further. An English lady at a bus stop did not agree to the offer made by a few Pakistanis who were desperate for tickets. As they left, she said, "I am going to sell them for more than a thousand."

The Australians are over the moon to be in the final after what Steve Waugh described as 'the great escape'. Along with the waving of their flag, they are sometimes seen with a cuddly kangaroo in one hand and more often with a pint of beer in another. Some Pakistani supporters do not lack far behind.

Several shop and house windows now sport a Pakistani or an Australian flag.

For that matter, some have still kept the Bangladesh flag flying in full glory.

And, alas! All these could have been South Africa's, the supreme favourites.

But the failure of South Africa to qualify despite living up to their billing till breasting the tape is the sort of pickle that makes every World Cup so memorable, so special. As it turned out, the sides were separated by a net run-rate difference of 0.

19 after one of the most sensational cricket matches in history.

Australia have an erratic World Cup record, although they were winners in 1987. They featured in the first final at Lord's in 1975, but were eliminated at group stage at both the 1979 and 1983 World Cups. Most surprisingly, their fate did not illuminate in 1992 when they were joint hosts with New Zealand.

Pakistan, regarded as most multi-talented as well as being thoroughly unpredictable, won the trophy in 1992 defeating England. Six of that squad will be at Lord's. They are regulars in the semi-finals, having missed out only in 1975 and 1996.

Australia must scent a conquest on account of an earlier win against Pakistan by ten runs in a Group match. They must also derive some encouragement from Pakistan's defeat to Bangladesh and South Africa.

Pakistan will be animated because Australia lost to New Zealand whom they wiped clean off the board.

It's going to be a battle and millions across the world would be watching.

The Australian Prime Minister John Howard, up until 4 AM to see the semi-final on television, has requested employers to be understanding if someone Down Under turned up late on Monday morning. Knowing the sub-continent, Pakistan can expect a national holiday if they clinch a victory.

Pakistan is expected to name the same side that won the semi-final so very flatteringly against New Zealand.

"We only play four regular batsmen plus all-rounders. But the team is full of talent, and everyone knows what they have to do," said the Pakistan captain.

Australia are not likely to make any changes either.

So much popular pride and sporting prejudice are at stake that the Winners' Prize money of US$ 300,000 and half of that for the losers have taken backstage. Engulfed by billboards and suited sponsors the players may be, but the teams are now singularly focused on the next one hundred overs. Or less, only Duckworth-Lewis can tell.

Both nations are from the supposedly weaker Group B. Both have previously won the cup once. Pakistan on Australian soil in Melbourne and the Aussies in Calcutta. Australia know the pains of a Lord's defeat. Pakistan are hungry and eager to dispel the taint of the forever-nagging bribery scandal.

This a fracas to find out who would be the first after West Indies to win the Cup twice. Both are confident of victory. Only one will find out at the expense of the other come Sunday at Lord's.

Source :: The Daily Star