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Mercury goes up in Sharjah |
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March 22, 2000
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Mar 21(Internaet report): Sharjah, the venue for the triangular series which begins tomorrow involving South Africa, India and Pakistan should be a welcome improvement on India for the touring South African cricket team.
This Islamic country borders the Indian Ocean and it's more moderate climate must surely be a welcome relief to the dehydrated South Africans who suffered so badly in the humidity of India. Buoyed by the success in Nagpur, the South Africans have arrived in Sharjah with the idea of kicking up a desert storm of their own over the next 10 days wile plotting ahead for the limited-over series against Australia next month.
The third country involved, Pakistan are trying to regroup after Sri Lanka did more than enough to re-establish their image as the Kings of Asia.
The matches during this time of the year more or less coincide with the shopping festival in Dubai, and though it may be festival time, cricket will always be played hard, especially with arch-rivals India and Pakistan involved.
The Pakistan-India rivalry is soap-opera cricket at it's best in 51 years, the sub-continent's sworn enemies have fought scores of battles on the pitch, mimicking the intensity of their wars off it. The last time an Indian team toured Pakistan was in 1889 and since then, Pakistanis have twice cancelled cricket tours of India, citing security concerns. Their fears stem mainly from statements by Indian political boss Bal Thakeray who declared India out-of-bounds to Pakistani cricketers. He has warned that his supporters will "break the legs" of Pakistani players if they set foot in Indian soil.
As a result, Ino-Pakistani cricket encounters have been restricted to limited-overs games held on neutral ground like Sharjah ----- in tournaments such as the triangular series.
The teams from the sub-continent are under tremendous pressure, as a losing team is not let off lightly. The players have to contend with fanatical enthusiasm and even persecution but when the roar of 50,000 spectator fills the air, a team can feel proud of the salute.
Pakistan should go down as the favorites against India and south Africa, and though they are without Saeed Anwar, Saqlin Mustaq and Azhar Mahmood, there is still enough talent to make them very competitive.
Inzamamul Haq, Yousuf Youhana and Wajahatullah Wasti will be the key batsmen with Abdur Razzak and Moin Khan providing ample support. Moin has the added advantage of drawing from Wasim Akram's vast experience.
South Africa's batting has been inconsistent with the all-rounders supporting from down the order. The return of Makhaya Ntini will provide some extra teeth to the attack but apart from Shaun Pollock, there is not much experience, which will be vital on the pitches at Sharjah. But all these factors can not deter the South Africans as they play hard to bring the Sharjah cup honours home.
The Indians also have their share of worries when it comes to bowling, with Javagal Srinath looking very rusty. Ajit Agarkar has the ability to pick up wickets though he may concede runs in the bargain. Sachin Tendulkar will be required to bowl and of late he has been the most economical.
Anil Kumble and Sunil Joshi have a majorrole to play as the medium pace attack is short of confidence at the moment. But t the batting is in good from with Rahul Dravid also returning to reasonable.
It will be a tussle between the methodical South Africans, erratic Pakistanis and the unpredictable India
Source: The Daily Star
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