More than just a game, more than a few issues
Pakistan aim to counter India, overcome batting woes, hope for clear forecast .
Misbah has scored more than the combined tally of the rest of the top-seven batsmen, highlighting the poor show of the side that spent time with legend Javed Miandad before Trent Woodhill took over as the batting coach. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
After becoming the first team to make an exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, today’s encounter between Pakistan and India offers little on paper.
But, for Pakistan in particular, the match comes after severe and justified criticism on the team’s poor batting performance. While the hype surrounding the clash between the archrivals is less than what the ticket sales suggest, Misbahul Haq’s men know that it is anything but a meaningless encounter.
India, after back-to-back wins over South Africa and the West Indies, are already through to the last-four. Pakistan have a return flight before the knockouts begin but, they are nevertheless, are looking for a little redemption.
‘It’s like a final’
Misbah said his team wanted to sign off on a winning note, hoping to lessen the blow for disappointed fans with a face-saving win.
“Whenever we play each other it’s like a final,” said Misbah after his team’s training session in Birmingham. “It’s still a very important game even though we may be out of the tournament.”
Pakistan were let down in the first two games, bowled out for 170 by the West Indies and then dismissed for 167 by a depleted South African attack missing Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
But Misbah, who top-scored in both matches, said he expected his team to rise to its potential.
“There is no pressure on us now. It gives us a chance to prove ourselves on the field, express ourselves freely and win back our pride. But the disappointment will remain.”
Misbah also hoped the team’s bowlers will continue to pose problems to an in-form India batting line-up.
“These bowlers have already played against them. They have bowled well to most of their batsmen and they’re confident about doing that again.”
On the other hand is a confident MS Dhoni whose side has done exceptionally well so far. The India captain agreed with Misbah that the game was important, but insisted that was not only because the opponents were Pakistan
“It does not matter which side you’re playing because all international sides are good, so there is no point taking any added pressure,” he said.
“The India-Pakistan game is always big. Both sides are more mellowed now than was the case in the 1980s and 1990s, and that is good for cricket. But the intensity is the same.”
Dhoni expects Pakistan to play a hard game, but said the result could depend on how the rivals approached the game.
“If their thinking is they have nothing to lose, they could be dangerous. But if the thinking is that the game must be won as a consolation prize, they will be in big trouble.”
Weather remains a worry
The weather, however, is likely to play a crucial role with the forecast suggesting showers today. Pakistan were also forced to shift their training session indoors on the second consecutive day.
Meanwhile, a team official told The Express Tribune that the game would be crucial for senior players.
“A good performance can rescue them,” said the official. “They have been told that failure in this game can bring curtains down on their career.”
Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal have been poor, while Mohammad Hafeez has also failed to live up to expectations. However, the official hinted that some of them might be dropped for the contest.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2013.
After becoming the first team to make an exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, today’s encounter between Pakistan and India offers little on paper.
But, for Pakistan in particular, the match comes after severe and justified criticism on the team’s poor batting performance. While the hype surrounding the clash between the archrivals is less than what the ticket sales suggest, Misbahul Haq’s men know that it is anything but a meaningless encounter.
India, after back-to-back wins over South Africa and the West Indies, are already through to the last-four. Pakistan have a return flight before the knockouts begin but, they are nevertheless, are looking for a little redemption.
‘It’s like a final’
Misbah said his team wanted to sign off on a winning note, hoping to lessen the blow for disappointed fans with a face-saving win.
“Whenever we play each other it’s like a final,” said Misbah after his team’s training session in Birmingham. “It’s still a very important game even though we may be out of the tournament.”
Pakistan were let down in the first two games, bowled out for 170 by the West Indies and then dismissed for 167 by a depleted South African attack missing Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
But Misbah, who top-scored in both matches, said he expected his team to rise to its potential.
“There is no pressure on us now. It gives us a chance to prove ourselves on the field, express ourselves freely and win back our pride. But the disappointment will remain.”
Misbah also hoped the team’s bowlers will continue to pose problems to an in-form India batting line-up.
“These bowlers have already played against them. They have bowled well to most of their batsmen and they’re confident about doing that again.”
On the other hand is a confident MS Dhoni whose side has done exceptionally well so far. The India captain agreed with Misbah that the game was important, but insisted that was not only because the opponents were Pakistan
“It does not matter which side you’re playing because all international sides are good, so there is no point taking any added pressure,” he said.
“The India-Pakistan game is always big. Both sides are more mellowed now than was the case in the 1980s and 1990s, and that is good for cricket. But the intensity is the same.”
Dhoni expects Pakistan to play a hard game, but said the result could depend on how the rivals approached the game.
“If their thinking is they have nothing to lose, they could be dangerous. But if the thinking is that the game must be won as a consolation prize, they will be in big trouble.”
Weather remains a worry
The weather, however, is likely to play a crucial role with the forecast suggesting showers today. Pakistan were also forced to shift their training session indoors on the second consecutive day.
Meanwhile, a team official told The Express Tribune that the game would be crucial for senior players.
“A good performance can rescue them,” said the official. “They have been told that failure in this game can bring curtains down on their career.”
Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal have been poor, while Mohammad Hafeez has also failed to live up to expectations. However, the official hinted that some of them might be dropped for the contest.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2013.