Credit points outweigh the loss in Test, Wasim (8 February 1999)

8 February 1999

Credit points outweigh the loss in Test, Wasim

By Our Special Representative

NEW DELHI, Feb 7: Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said his team was disappointed to lose the second Test but felt there was more to think of the achievement than disappointment.

"I feel that we have done tremendously well in this series. The circumstances in which we came here are an open secret. Besides, we had come with defeats against Australia and Zimbabwe. So I feel that we are disappointed but satisfied with the way we performed under difficult situations," Akram said in a post-match conference.

"This series has lifted the morale of the team and the boys are willing to put up a more determined performance in the next game," he said.

Akram, trying to put up a brave face, said toss played the decisive role in this Test. He added that a couple of decisions also went against his team.

"I think the match was decided when we lost the toss because batting fourth on this wicket would have been very difficult. I feel that on the basis of toss you cannot gauge the strength and weakness of the two teams and that's exactly what happened here. After two Tests, no one can claim that he is the best.

"But I also feel that a few crucial decisions went against us," he remarked, adding: "I am not happy with the decisions but I am sure people in Pakistan would have seen the standard of umpiring and should form their own opinion. As a captain of the team, I can't criticize the umpiring."

The Pakistan captain believed that it was time that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should appoint both the third country umpires. "In every major sport, there are third country umpires so I don't see any reason that it can't be done in cricket.

"If the ICC have any problems, they should at least appoint third country umpires in the Tests between India and Pakistan. You see, you can accept a wrong decision of a third country umpire as an error of judgment because you know his interest is not directly involved. But when a local umpire makes a mistake, his decision is suspected.

"To keep the sport clean and free of controversies, the ICC should appoint third country umpires."

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said he would be recommending to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for third country umpires in future games. "Both the teams were under tremendous pressure. Our boys couldn't perform because they had hidden fears so its better that third country umpires are appointed in future games."

Akram said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be in a better position to justify the appointment of Ajit Jayaprakash for this crunch match. "But as far as I am concerned, I would have liked to see a more experienced umpire than the one who is standing in his second Test."

Akram said his team tried to put up a fight in the second innings after conceding an 80-run lead but the Indians batted brilliantly. "Need not to mention the spectacular performance of Anil Kumble. I am a bowler and can understand his feelings because at this level you have to bowl your heart out to get wickets and there he is with all 10 wickets under his belt."

Miandad, however, blamed dropped catches as one of the prime reasons of defeat. "We could have dismissed India inside 250 runs in the second innings but we spilled two catches."

Akram bitterly criticized the wicket for the second Test. "India say they don't produce fast bowlers. How can they produce good fast bowlers on this track. Even Dennis Lillee can't do anything here.

Miandad said it was very bad wicket. "I think Tests should not be played on these type of wickets. It spoils the confidence of the batsmen and the fast bowlers. Only the spinners enjoy playing on it."

The former captain said it was not only difficult to score on this wicket, but was also difficult to stay on it. "The batsmen even tried to play with their heads down but failed to score because sometimes the ball was keeping low and sometimes kicking from nowhere."

Commenting on the crowd, Akram said it was unsporting. "But hats off to Inzamam-ul-Haq who handled the pressure well. I don't know what was the purpose (of the crowd) but definitely the players shoulder falls down when the entire stadium is taunting him."

Miandad believed that the behaviour of the crowd would change if we played more Test cricket. "The more we will exchange tours, the lesser would be the hostility of the crowd."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)