Calcutta Clippings (21 February 1999)

21 February 1999

Calcutta Clippings

Hasan Masood

CALCUTTA, Feb 20: Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram lashed out at the local press today, holding it responsible for the unruly behaviour of the Calcutta crowd at the Eden Gardens here today.

"It was the press that contributed to this," Akram told reporters after Pakistan beat India by 46 runs in a match in which angry spectators interrupted play for nearly three hours on Saturday and 46 minutes on Friday.

"Whatever has happened today it is only because of you people and your reports. You have said that Shoaib obstructed Sachin from making his ground and I should have re-invited him to bat. Why should I do that? If a team fails for only one man, that is our bonus," said an angry Akram while pointing towards the India reporters during the post-match press conference.

"The whole world saw none of them (Shoaib and Sachin) were responsible for the collision. But you have blamed me. Is that wise?

"You people know cricket very well but your reports which I have read today in many dailies do not speak for that," Akram said.

"You have held them (crowd) responsible for the whole wrong-doings, but I will never blame them for this because they were all pre-occupied with those reports for which the saddest thing in Test cricket happened here today," Akram added.

Bengali and English language newspapers lambasted Akram, who had been popular in India during Pakistan's recent tour.

"Akram loses India, may win Test," a banner headline in The Telegraph said.

"He could have called back Sachin Tendulkar and become a hero. But he chose to sour the goodwill generated by him and his team on this tour with one gesture he chose not to make," the paper said.

Former Indian Test cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar's column in The Asian Age daily was headlined: "Sachin should not have been given out".

Vengsarkar said that in a similar circumstance English umpire Dickie Bird had given the benefit of doubt to a batsman during the World Cup in 1983.

Akram meanwhile said the introduction of neutral umpires was good and both teams should have the mentality to accept their decisions.

"You have written today that umpires were at fault in giving out to two Indian batsmen. Don't you think we're also the victim of few questionable decisions during our innings? But you did not mentioned those in your reports"

On his team's triumph, Akram said all the players were eager to win this match and they did it in style.

"When we managed 185 in the first innings after losing six wickets only for 26 runs, we knew we had a very good chance in this match and thanks to almighty for the win. It was a dream that came true," said Akram.

"I also want to thank Saeed Anwar, Moin Khan and Shoaib who really helped us to win this game. Shoaib has proved that his is the fastest bowler now," Akram said.

Despite the crowd trouble here in Calcutta Pakistan manager Shahariyar Khan said his team would return to India next month and play in the tri-nation one-day international tournament along with the hosts and world champions Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin and coach Angshuman Gaekwad appeared very frustrated while negotiating with the press.

"This is a total mess and I will only held the batsmen responsible for the defeat," said a dejected Indian captain.

"Our bowlers, especially Srinath, brought us back in the match when Pakistan were going to take a big lead in the second innings. But the batsmen failed to capitalise on that even after the opening pair took us to 108. I thought, at that time, we were going to get 279 quite easily. But you have seen it did not happen," Azhar said.

On the violence, Azhar termed it as the saddest episode of the Indian cricket.

"I don't want to say anything more because I've already said that in 1996 when we lost the World Cup semifinal to Sri Lanka by default. I just want they should behave, because every time we can not win. We are also human being and any day we can fail," Azhar said.

"This incident has let us down in the world of cricket and I don't know why they did that," Azhar concluded.

Azhar however tried to shift the blame to Laxman for letting off opener Saeed Anwar, who then went to score a match-winning unbeaten 188.

"I tried a catch which was somebody else's. I don't want to name the fielder." Laxman was standing beside Azhar when Anwar snicked Srinath.

This was the 107th defeat of India in Test cricket out of 324 Test they have played so far. They have won 60, drew 156 and one match was tied.

On the other hand, Pakistan posted their 73rd win in 256 Tests. They lost only 59 Tests while one was abandoned. Besides, this was the only match between India and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens that was decided. The previous four matches played here since 1952 ended in a draw.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team will return home tonight. They will take on Sri Lanka in the third match of the championship in Lahore, starting March 4. On the other hand, India will fly to Colombo tomorrow for the second match scheduled to begin from February 24. Indian pacer Javagal Srinath, who took 13 wickets in this Test, has been given rest.

Left-arm seamer Asish Nehra will replace Srinath in the tour party. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble has been named as the deputy of Azhar despite the local press was campaigning for Saurav Ganguly for last one week.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)