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India tour Pakistan
- Samsung Cup 2004 |
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icricketer.com > Series > India tour Pakistan >
News
We’re not scared of ‘Rawalpindi Express’: Ganguly
KOLKATA: Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly Tuesday
said his team was not worried at the prospect of facing speedster
Shoaib Akhtar on their upcoming tour of Pakistan.
"We are not worried about Shoaib and feel the pressure is on
him since he is leading the attack against India for the first
time," Ganguly said at the end of a three-day training camp
here.
Shoaib, known as the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, is feared by batsmen
the world over but Ganguly said the speed demon would have his work
cut out trying to single-handedly rip through India’s in-form
batting line-up.
"With Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis not around any more, things
will be different for him," said Ganguly as the team prepared
to embark on their first full tour of Pakistan in almost 15 years.
Zaheer and Ashish Nehra are the only experienced bowlers in the
one-day side which also has other left-armer Irfan Pathan, seamer
Laxmipathy Balaji and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik apart from the
all-rounders.
Kumble and Agarkar are, however, expected to join the team for the
Tests. Ganguly said the inexperienced bowling attack would put into
use some invaluable tips imparted by former captain Kapil Dev.
"Kapil helped us out during this short camp, not trying to
rectify actions or technique but in attitude and thought
process," said Ganguly, who led India to the World Cup final
last year.
The Indian captain said his team was well-equipped to cope with the
pressure on their 40-day tour.
"International cricket is all about pressure and seeing the
India-Pakistan scenario, additional pressure is only to be
expected," he said. "Some people consider us favourites
for the series, which is a good sign for Indian cricket."
Indian coach John Wright felt it was a nothing-to-lose situation and
a good opportunity for the players to prove their mettle once again.
"We are going to enjoy the tour and relish challenges,"
said the former New Zealand Test player. "If you don’t play
good cricket you lose and one should remember that we are the
touring side."
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