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Dutch Tri- Series - 2004 |
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icricketer.com > Series >
Dutch Tri-
Series - 2004 > News
Afridi Pakistan's trump card
against India: Woolmer
AMSTERDAM: Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer intends to use the
flamboyant Shahid Afridi strategically in the matches against India
and Australia in the cricket tri-series beginning in Amsterdam on
Sunday.
"Afridi knows about his role and he, along with Salman Butt have
been told clearly what their roles are going to be," said Woolmer as
his team prepared to build its reputation afresh.
Afridi has a splendid record against India and is one of the most
powerful hitters in world cricket - a fact which would come handy on
a small VRA ground in coming days.
Woolmer, a master tactician, sees an important role for Afridi,
given the fact India has a pace bowling attack which pitches the
ball up, an advantage otherwise but which could be a handicap on
short boundaries of VRA ground.
Irfan Pathan, Laxmipathy Balaji and Ajit Agarkar all like to pitch
the ball up. It could make the ball disappear faster in the trees
lining the straight boundaries of the ground.
The coach also intends to send the 12th man with a walkie talkie on
the field from now on.
"It is important there is a two-way communication between the coach
and the players. I intend to use the walkie-talkie through the 12th
man from this tournament," he said.
"Both this tournament as well as in England are testing grounds for
us. I would know better once these events are over how to assess my
team.
"Our two opponents are good sides. It will allow me as well as the
players to know about their ability and what is required," said the
Englishman.
Woolmer is not at all disheartened by the fact his team did not make
it to the finals of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last month.
"We won four out of five games which was a good showing. We intend
to build on that performance."
"The boys must learn to handle pressure and we would know the
evidence of it in the coming days. Essentially, both these
tournaments (the tri-series and Champions Trophy) are knock-out in
nature and there is no coming back. It is a pressure and a good way
to know how players are able to handle pressure," he said.
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