Our flair will triumph over methodical Australia (20 June 1999)

20 June 1999

Our flair will triumph over methodical Australia

The Electronic Telegraph

If you looked at the Pakistan cricket team yesterday, you would never have guessed that these boys will be playing the most important game of their lives at Lord's today. They are relaxed and brimming with enthusiasm and confidence.

Many will mistake this for complacency, but the fact of the matter is that they are focused and committed to giving today's game their best shot. What is more, they know that if they succeed in playing their best, victory will certainly be ours.

The team management has advised the boys to keep away from the media and not ask about press coverage in Pakistan. I'm sure the expectations are high and I don't want the boys to be distracted. Instead, I want them to spend time with each other and leave the outside world well alone for a couple of days.

Personally, I'm satisfied that we've come this far. Making it to the World Cup final is no mean feat. I'm glad our hard work over the last few months has paid off and I'm relieved that most of the problem areas in our cricket have been ironed out. In fact, I think one of our greatest advantages is our confidence that we can perform well if we bat first or if we chase. We have the most varied attack in the world.

Just look at our bowling. We have the fastest bowler in the world, the best off-spinner, two reliable and silent performers in the middle overs and, of course, a fairly competent left-arm pace bowler. You simply cannot compare any attack with ours because of the sheer variety we have on offer. Add to this the fact that the player I consider the best batsman in the world, Saeed Anwar, has come good in the last couple of games. He, along with Wasti, has been giving the team the right kind of start in the last two games and I'm confident that he will continue the good work today.

It has been said that the only team that can beat Pakistan is Pakistan itself. Well, as far as we are concerned, we are focused and will not let the big occasion get to us. We have worked on grey areas like running between the wickets and ground fielding and today, I promise you, you will see a better fielding performance.

Looking into the opposition dressing-room, I'm aware that we are up against one of the best, most organised teams in the world. Australia have come through to the final the hard way. They have played two absolute thrillers in the last week. I certainly hope they are drained, but I think the three-day break must have done them a world of good. For international teams, that is time enough to bounce back. Their semi-final against South Africa will go down as a classic, and one can't help feeling sorry for South Africa. However, only one team could make the final and I guess it was destined to be Australia.

The greatest advantage for the Australian side has proved to be their amazingly accurate and consistent pace bowler, Glenn McGrath. He is capable of turning a match singlehandedly. But they also have a formidable batting line-up featuring consistent run-getters such as the Waugh brothers and Bevan. Their only weak link seems to be their fifth bowler and, as I have been saying throughout the tournament, any team who do not have a fifth bowler could find themselves at a disadvantage. However, they are a balanced outfit who are extremely organised and methodical in their approach.

I feel today's match will be a clash between flair and method. Many experts say that Australia's greatest advantage is their ability to hold their nerve. While I respect that quality in them, let me set the record straight - we are no chokers. This Pakistan team is a tough one. The world has been witness to the tough times we have experienced over the last two years. The match-fixing allegations and betting inquiries that have been going on for months on end have not been easy to live with. Yet we have stuck together through thick and thin and come so far. Hopefully, our focus and unstinted efforts will bear fruit today.

I've been asked ad nauseum about whether the final at Lord's will be Wasim Akram's farewell appearance. Let me tell you - your guess is as good as mine. I refuse to think of what will happen after today. We have a great game ahead, which will be a test of our talent and determination, and to look beyond will mean losing focus. For the time being, let's hope the best team wins today. Personal decisions will come later.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph