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Dutch Tri- Series - 2004 |
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icricketer.com > Series >
Dutch Tri-
Series - 2004 > News
Our bowlers have come of
age: Inzamam
UTRECHT: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq on Friday said his
irrepressible bowling attack has got the measure of the strong
Indian batting line-up and would pose a serious challenge to Sourav
Ganguly and co. in the triangular one-day cricket tournament
starting on Saturday.
Inzamam said the tight leash under which his bowlers kept the
star-studded Indian line-up in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka recently
was an indication that the mercurial Pakistani pacers were beginning
to show "new discipline and commitment" which they had lacked in the
past.
"It looks like the contest would be between our bowlers and their
batsmen. I was very happy the way they (bowlers) picked up in Sri
Lanka — bowling within themselves and in right channels. This is the
thing which we didn't do against the Indians at home," the burly
batsman said as he marshalled the nets in Utrecht.
India take on Pakistan in the opening match of the tri-series on
Saturday before clashing with the Ricky Ponting's Australia on
Monday. Pakistan face off with the Aussies on Wednesday before the
final on August 28.
Inzamam said the other areas in which his side had made considerable
improvement since the arrival of Bob Woolmer as coach was fitness
and fielding.
"If we appear sharp and energetic in the field, it is because we are
getting fitter. That's been the main area of thrust since the
induction of Bob Woolmer as coach."
Pakistan failed to make it to the Asia Cup final which was contested
by India and Sri Lanka. But Inzamam's men remained unbeaten in four
of the five matches in the tournament. They beat the Indians
convincingly by 59 runs in the Super League stage but Sourav
Ganguly's men pipped them to the final only on the basis of points
won.
Inzamam, however, refused to read too much into India's below par
performance in Sri Lanka.
"India have played very well in the last year and a half," he said.
"Any team can't give top performance year round. They were off-colour
in Sri Lanka but such things happen. In one-day cricket you cant
predict winners."
He had little doubt as to what pressure teams face when they face
the might of India batting.
"They bat till number seven and it is their main strength. It is
good enough to bring any side under pressure."
The Pakistani skipper also raved about the qualitative difference
Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif have brought to the Indian line-up.
"I am a great admirer of Yuvraj and Kaif. They have generally been
able to pick up the scoring when they come to bat at number six and
seven.
"They also are livewires in the field. They have infused a new life
in your team. The effort they put in in the field is tremendous."
Inzamam conceded conditions in Holland were not conducive to
international cricket but said it would cease to matter once the
teams take the field in the opening game.
"Conditions are not cricket friendly. Weather is also not conducive.
The practice facilities are minimal. But all these things are
secondary in India-Pakistan match. When you enter the ground, only
passion will be on display."
Inzamam hoped for a repeat of intensity which has been on display in
India-Pakistan encounters this year in the coming two months when
the two sides will also clash in the Champions Trophy in England.
"The series in Pakistan showed how much the public wants an
India-Pakistan contest. The goodwill was largely generated by the
crowd even though players too played their part in it.
"It just goes to show whatever is the background to Indo-Pak
relations, the public wants the two teams in action. I am sure it
would be the same when we meet each other in future."
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