The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Pakistan prepared to upset odds by defeating India in final
Pakistan are out to change the course of cricket history by shocking their great rivals India in a Champions Trophy final which they believe is “bigger than the Ashes”.
More than a billion viewers are expected to tune into the action at the Oval tomorrow to see whether India retain their title or unheralded Pakistan can sneak the silverware, having begun the tournament as apparent also-rans ranked number eight in the world.
Their bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, returning to what he describes as his second home after several seasons as a Surrey favourite on the pitch, has great belief in a Pakistan team which has already knocked England out of their own tournament in the semi-finals.
“We’ve got nothing to lose – the pressure is on them,” he said. “They are ranked higher, so everyone is talking about India, but we come to win.”
India have beaten Pakistan in all three meetings to date in the knockout stages of International Cricket Council tournaments but, with Mohammad Amir expected to be available again after the back spasm which ruled him out of the last-four clash against England in Cardiff, Azhar’s hopes are high.
“India have the upperhand in ICC tournaments,” he added. “But things can change and this is the time for us to change the tag that we don’t perform well at ICC events.”
Key seamer Amir was able to bowl in the Oval nets yesterday but had treatment from the physiotherapist, too.
“He bowled today without any problem whatsoever,” said Azhar. “The back spasm took two days to get over and he’s better now. We will go with Amir if he is fit. But we don’t mind – if he is not fit, then we move on with Rumman Raees.”
Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, insists India will not underestimate Pakistan despite hammering them in both sides’ tournament opener less than two weeks ago.
Bumrah insists Pakistan will be afforded plenty of respect by India.
When asked if he was surprised at Pakistan’s resurgence since their opening defeat, the unorthodox seamer replied: “Not at all because cricket is a funny game, anything can happen on any day. They are always a good side. On their day they can beat any side, so you cannot take any team lightly, especially Pakistan, you have to give them equal respect. There are no easy games over here.”
India booked their place in the showpiece fixture with a convincing nine-wicket victory against Bangladesh in front of 24,340 fans – a one-day international record crowd at Edgbaston.
While part-timer Kedar Jadhav took the plaudits with two crucial wickets, Bumrah was no less impressive, miserly at the start in conceding 12 runs from his opening five overs before taking two scalps at the death to finish with two for 39 from his allocation.