A plea for peace as focus remains on winning (6 June 1999)

6 June 1999

A plea for peace as focus remains on winning

The Electronic Telegraph

Pakistan's three-wicket defeat by South Africa is not the end of the world. It has knocked us out of stride, but the loss to Bangladesh was the result that really left us stunned. While we can curse our luck after yesterday's game, we have no excuse for the way we played against Bangladesh.

That match was a very difficult one for us. We had everything to lose if we lost, but nothing to gain if we won. Moreover, the Bangladeshis played inspired cricket and looked especially impressive in the field. I think this also proves that no side can be taken lightly in a one-day match, and an upset is always round the corner if you get complacent.

The other, almost predictable, fall-out was that the betting scandal reared its head again. There are reports in the subcontinent claiming that many people won money when we lost, and that some of the team members also pocketed their share. I am not bothered by such allegations and, at present, my only concern is getting the team through to the semi-final stage. I only worry about what the team have to say, not how the media interprets our performance back home or anywhere else.

Besides, the defeat may have been a blessing in disguise since it prevented the euphoria and complacency that would have crept in with an all-win record.

I would like to appeal to the Pakistani and Indian fans to be calm irrespective of the result of Tuesday's match between us at Old Trafford. What they will be seeing is only a game, and it would spoil the spirit of the sport if unruly scenes mar what is bound to be a gripping day of cricket. Having said that, I am sure the fans of both countries are sensible enough and there will be no incident that will embarrass either country. Further, I have spoken to some of the organisers at Old Trafford and they claim that the security there will be ready to cope with any eventuality.

The basic trouble has been the crowd invasions, where fans can come close enough to the players to cause them harm. However, I am sure Old Trafford, which is a Test venue, will have facilities to prevent any untoward incident.

As far as I am concerned, I would like to focus on the cricket and get my team to the semi-final with as many wins as possible. I have not been feeling well of late and have developed a stomach infection and have been running a fever since Friday evening. Thankfully, I felt much better once I got on to the field yesterday.

It was almost a day top celebrate and I was particularly pleased with the performance of our wicketkkeeper Moin Khan, whose superb display with bat almost won the day.

We have done a rethink on our opening combination and Wasti replaced Shahid Afridi for yesterday's Super Sixes match. Our other problem is the much-talked-about running between the wickets by Inzamam. It had improved considerably during the games preceding the World Cup, but unfortunately he has been tentative during this tournament. He has been working hard at correcting this facet of his game, but yesterday he suffered again. Inzamam has been batting beautifully during this World Cup and I have no complaints as far as his performance is concerned.

One of our major problems has concerned practice facilities. In Northampton on Monday, inclement weather prevented sessions on the ground. The indoor facilities were reserved for the sponsors. I was quite appalled by the logic that should prompt organisers to give precedence to the sponsors and not the players, who make all that sponsorship possible.

Who is more important, the cricketers or the sponsors? It was bad enough to have to start the tournament without a single warm-up game, but the subsequent arrangements or the lack of them was even more unfortunate.

Fortunately the Super Sixes are being held only in Test centres, where the facilities should be satisfactory - we hope.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph