Past record means little, now is the time to perform
ADELAIDE: Younis Khan was 26 when he played his first World Cup match against India at Centurion in 2003. And, a 19-yearold Shahid Afridi survived just 10 balls in his first World Cup game (1999 edition) against the arch-rivals. Pakistan lost on both occasions. This trend has continued as Pakistan have lost all five World Cup matches against India.
This is likely to be the last World Cup for the two Pakistan veterans. As the green brigade look to break the jinx, both Younis and Afridi briefed members of the team before their Cup opener.
“I told the boys that don’t repeat our mistakes. Don’t take the pressure that ‘it’s a game against India’. I believe we can beat India if we stay calm in crunch situations. I always tell the youngsters that If you avoid mistakes at important junctures, the result will be in your favour,” Younis, 37, told HT ahead of muchawaited clash on Sunday.
Afridi has not had much success against India in the Cup matches. He has scores of six, nine and19 runs in the three games against India.
“We always come under pressure in the World Cup matches against India. In some matches, Pakistan were in a very good position but lost the plot because of pressure. I just told the boys that don’t take pressure just because we are playing against India,” said Afridi.
Going by recent results, this is a good chance for Pakistan to create history as the Indian team has not won an official match, except a warm-up against Afghanistan, since they landed in Australia in November.
On the other hand, Pakistan Sachin Tendulkar was part of all the encounters between the subcontinental rivals and first of his massive effort came in the 1992 edition. With India struggling at 148 for five, Tendulkar’s unbeaten 54 and his partnership with Kapil Dev (35) helped India to a won both their practice matches against England and Bangladesh ahead of the World Cup.
KEEP EMOTIONS IN CHECK: MISBAH
AGENCIES ADD: Pakistan need to keep control of their emotions in Sunday’s high-octane clash with India if they are to put an end to a string of World Cup defeats against their arch-rivals, captain Misbah-ul-Haq said on Saturday.
“India-Pakistan is always all about pressure,” the 40-yearold Misbah, who was part of the team that lost the 2011
World Cup semi-final to
India, told reporters.
“The best thing we can do is just enjoy the game, enjoy the atmosphere, go there, play your game, be positive, and that’s the way how it is.”
INZY UNHAPPY
WITH SQUAD
Former Pakistan captain Inzamamul-Haq fears the side contains too many novice players. “This time around, Pakistan doesn’t have that class in its bowling line-up. I believe the selectors have picked too many youngsters for such a big event and we are definitely short of experience,” said Inzamam. “You go in big tournaments with one or two surprise packages. Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah have unfortunately no experience of big tournaments and it’s like carrying too much excess baggage. When it comes to India v Pakistan matches, a touch of individual brilliance has turned the tide in India’s favour, at least in the World Cup. With the arch-rivals squaring off at Adelaide on Sunday, HT looks at the turning points that have shaped the outcome of their five encounters at the quadrennial event Stage: Group stage Date: March 4, 1992 Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Result: India won by 43 runs decent score of 216. While batting, Pakistan were cruising with Aamer Sohail (62) and Javed Miandad (40) playing comfortably. In came Tendulkar to bowl, sent back Sohail to the pavilion and it set the cat among piegons. From 105 for two Pakistan lost eight wickets for 68 to be bowled out for 173. ADELAIDE: Build does matter, but
The thought of India playing Pakistan in a World Cup throws up so many scenarios. The team that loses faces the ire of the fans and potentially the country, including politicians. There is so much at stake.
Neither team will want to face the embarrassment of losing, yet there is no disgrace in losing provided the players give their best and try to win. I get the feeling that while cricket is a sport and this match is important for both teams, there is more to this game than winning.
It does not matter how many previous encounters there have been between the two countries or who has won the most. It is the performance on the day that counts. This game is also about getting two crucial points to help qualify for the quarterfinals.
The rivalry between the two teams will be powerful motivation During an ODI at Kanpur in 2007, for all concerned. The contest is between bat and ball but it is also the match-ups between the players – Virat Kohli verses Younis Khan, Rohit Sharma verses Ahmad Shezhad, Suresh Raina verses Shahid Afridi and so on.
Egos play an important part in wanting to be better than someone else. Personal ratings and the satisfaction of being rated higher than other players can drive performance. I understand this because I was driven by goals and targets. A lot of nervous energy will be spent before the game by the players, management and support staff. Everyone will do some There is never a dull moment when Shahid Afridi is around. He is always in the game, with the bat or the ball. He loves the attention too. As Gautam Gambhir will vouch, he is not the one to take it easy on the field. So you can be rest assured, if ‘Boom Boom’ is not blazing away with the bat, he would have a few things to say.
In an India and Pakistan face-off, it’s also about certain characters on both sides who light up proceedings with their personas. Here are a few individuals who could add colour to Sunday’s clash:
He is one of Pakistan’s brightest talents with the bat, but he also gets under the nerves of the opponents with verbal volleys. After an ODI against Sri Lanka last year the Pakistani opener made religious remarks to Tillakaratne Dilshan. While the players were walking back to the dressing room in Dambulla, Shahzad was caught on camera telling Dilshan “if you are a nonMuslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.” Dilshan’s reply was not audible, but Shahzad further added, “Then be ready for the fire.” soul searching to ensure the players have prepared well. Questions will also be asked as to whether anything could have been done better?
India go into this match lacking form with no success except a World Cup practice match win. Confidence may be low but this is a World Cup and India are the defending champions. Every team enters this competition with no points, runs and wickets. What has gone on before does not matter. Now is the time to make amends and perform. Pakistan’s recent form is also under-whelming – only two wins in their last 12 one-dayers. They have lost several key players to injury and Saeed Ajmal is suspended with a suspect bowling action. For them, Afridi is a key player. He is on the verge of becoming the first player to take 400 ODI wickets and score 8000 runs. He is a remarkable performer and match winner.
Despite their recent form, India are favourites to win this much-awaited contest.
The writer is ex-New Zealand all-rounder. HAWKEYE/CHIVACH SPORTS Last year, Umar Akmal allegedly thrashed a traffic warden and tore his uniform after he was stopped for violating a signal. If the Pakistan batsman can take on a cop, Umar unleashing a few verbal volleys on the field cannot be far-fetched. Kohli has been in the news, for his feats with the bat as well as spats with Mitchell Johnson, David Warner and Brad Haddin. Kohli loves to give batsmen send offs. And considering the tensions in a sub-continental derby, Kohli’s desire to be in the thick of things could only multiply. In a 2013 ODI, Watson endured a hamstring injury while bowling. Later when he came out to bat, Dhawan mocked Watson by hobbling through. The moustached Dhawan is always up for a battle. If things heat up on Sunday, Dhawan could have his share of things to say. Usually known for his lazy elegance, both in his game and his attitude. But a more aggressive version of the batsman has been visible on India’s present tour. During the
Tests, Rohit was involved in a verbal duel with Steve Smith after the latter asked the Indian why he had been appealing excessively.
Later during the tri-series, Rohit had a run-in with David Warner.