Miandad hopes Indian series would be result oriented (13 January 1999)

13 January 1999

Miandad hopes Indian series would be result oriented

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 12: Pakistan coach Javed Miandad on Tuesday hoped that the forthcoming series against India would be result oriented but refused to commit who would enjoy the edge.

"Since 90 overs will have to be bowled in a day, results would definitely be there. But it has to be seen which team would grasp most of the opportunities in the five-day game," Miandad, who toured India for Tests in 1979, 1983 and 1987, said.

Miandad said the trend nowadays was positive and the credit for it goes to the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said 90 overs is nearly one innings "and that's why most of the Tests now a days were finishing inside four days. There is no match today which is decided in the final session of a Test or in the mandatory overs.

"Any match going into the fifth day is most likely to end in a draw but the proportion of that is very little," said the former captain.

Miandad pointed out that there is hardly any team in world cricket today which starts dominating the match from the very first ball. "Fortunes fluctuate and the more professional teams grasp it with both hands to emerge winners.

"We had reduced Australia at Rawalpindi (in the first Test) to 29 for three but failed to capitalize on the advantage. Australia, definitely better opponents, posted more than 500 and beat us by an innings," he said.

Pakistan's highest run-getter stressed that his team was very formidable and experienced as compared to India "but we will have to pick chances that come our way. We just can't afford to let them go abegging."

Miandad pointed out that Pakistan's fast bowling was its main weapon. "We have won most of our matches through fast bowlers. But if the Indians prepare spinning tracks, which I think they would, then our pacers would not be as effective. It will then be upto the spinners to deliver the goods.

"Good teams win through all-round show and that's what we will have to do in India."

Miandad said India lost the series in New Zealand but stated the success of their tour was the form shown by the top order. He said Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin slammed centuries in the two Tests"which should enable them to face us with more confidence."

Miandad said the present Pakistan team was as good as the one which beat India in 1987. "Although there are only three surviving members from that team, but most of the guys are playing together for the last eight or nine years. They are highly talented and rich in experience."

Commenting on the training camp, Miandad said he was very pleased with the way it was progressing. "I am very happy with the way things have gone. The players are enjoying the training and that's the bottom line."

He said the fitness level of the players have increased and hoped that it would benefit the players in days to come.

Miandad said he has acquired the services of a friend who is a professional trainer free of charge. He is guiding the players how to train. "Previously, the players were training but didn't know exactly what were the correct procedures as a result those trainings were was not helping them as much as they should have."

He said the trainer now has told them from where to start and where to finish, and what was the correct proportion. "Sometimes, extensive training also backfires."

The former captain said he had no knowledge about Aamir Sohail who has yet to join the camp.

"My job is to train the boys who are here. I am not sure where he (Aamir Sohail) is. You should better ask the selectors," he remarked.

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram didn't attend the camp on Tuesday because he was running temperature. But the atmosphere in the camp was very heart-warming and the players were enjoying themselves.

But still in the enjoyment, there was a sense of insecurity because of the tension across the border on cricket team's visit.

The players, who talked to this correspondent independently, questioned who would be responsible if anything goes terribly wrong in India "because Shiv Sena people are very desperate. In that condition, they can do anything and that concerns us."

They argued that even if the tour takes place, they would find themselves surrounded by security personnel which would not allow them a moment of privacy. "Do you expect us to perform when every place is out of bound for us expect ground and hotel."

A senior cricketer questioned if he would receive the support of the cricket board and the people if he pulls out of the tour. "Some New Zealanders and Australians refused to travel to Sri Lanka in the past because of security concerns and they got the backing of their boards. Now if I want to pull out, will I get the same treatment," he questioned.

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