Pakistan’s ‘cornered tigers’ can give India a run for their money
PAKISTAN will summon up the spirit of Imran Khan’s ‘cornered tigers’ today as they attempt to complete their remarkable Champions Trophy journey by upsetting India in what could be the most watched cricket match of all time.
A staggering billion people are expected to tune in on television around the world for a final at The Oval that, unless you are an England fan, represents the dream conclusion to what has been a largely disappointing mini World Cup.
And Pakistan, who scraped into the tournament as the eighth-ranked team out of eight, hope to upset the odds one more time by avenging the comprehensive opening defeat by their old rivals that left them on the brink of elimination.
It was 25 years ago that Imran made his famous description of his side when they rallied from the verge of going out in the group stages to defeat England in the World Cup final in Melbourne and victory today would be just as unexpected.
‘The way the players have dragged themselves off the canvas after that defeat by India has been amazing,’ said Pakistan’s South African coach Mickey Arthur. ‘But I don’t think we’ve exceeded expectations at all.
‘Our mantra throughout the tournament has been that we wanted to get to London and now we’re here we want to go one step further and win it. That would be fantastic.’
A final that Surrey say they could have sold out three times over looked a world away when defending champions India thrashed Pakistan by 124 runs in that opening game at Edgbaston. But they have been inspired since then.
‘We had some honest conversations after that and the guys took it on the chin,’ said Arthur, who is quietly rebuilding a coaching reputation badly damaged by the ‘homework affair’ in his ill-fated spell in charge of Australia. ‘The players are under no illusions about what’s in front of them. We dissected India a lot before that game at Edgbaston but we’ve backtracked a bit on that. The final is going to be about us rather than the opposition.’ Arthur confirmed that Mohammad Amir (left) has recovered from the back spasm that kept him out of Pakistan’s semi-final victory over England and will return to an attack that has been brilliantly led by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker in Hasan Ali.
And it will be the battle between Pakistan’s outstanding bowlers and a formidable Indian top three of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli that could decide the first major 50-over final between these neighbours.
Pressure could be the biggest threat to an India side who know that the bulk of those billion onlookers expect them to emulate the 2013 side who won the Champions Trophy by beating England at Edgbaston.
‘I’ve been dealing with expectations for a few years now so there’s nothing new there,’ said Kohli. ‘You can’t think of how many people will be watching when you step out onto the field. It’s part of being an Indian cricketer and you just have to focus on what’s happening on the field and accept reality.’
The tense relationship between the nations means India have only played one bi-lateral series against Pakistan since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 and adds more spice to what should be a spectacular occasion.
All logic points to an Indian victory but nomadic Pakistan are never more dangerous than when they ‘cornered’ and could provide a final twist to a tournament that has been blighted by bad weather and one-sided games. All they have to do is silence a billion Indian supporters.