Media reports: Pakistan looking good and dangerous

JOHANNESBURG (South Africa), February 6: A leading local newspaper Thursday declared that Pakistan were looking good and dangerous for the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup that begins Sunday.

"Pakistan have looked outstanding in two matches against Gauteng sides in the last few days. Their batsmen seem in reasonable form and the bowlers have done little wrong and they even appear to be behaving themselves off the field," commented Stuart Hess while writing in The Star newspaper.

Pakistan have been billed as one of the four semifinalists while some of the pundits here have predicted a Pakistan vs New Zealand final at the Wanderers on March 23.

Pakistan's matches against Australia, England, India and Zimbabwe are completely sold-out. But for the moment, it is their match against Australia that is the talk of the town.

"It's hard enough trying to predict Pakistan's form at the best of times, which makes trying to read their form in a bunch of warm-up matches even harder. But as an indication as to whether they will beat Australia when the two sides meet at the Wanderers on Tuesday, none of those performances against Easterns at Willowmoore Park will offer much," the newspaper said.

Pakistan defeated Australia in the 1999 World Cup preliminary round match but lost a lopsided final at Lord's by eight wickets.

"The Waqar Younis/Wasim Akram new ball partnership is back in harness, and the two players of such massive experience will definitely play key roles in their team's performances.

"What could be of interest will be the form of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, whose knee problems are reportedly a thing of the past. The management will be keeping a close eye on his stamina, although by all accounts, he has been bowling very quickly in the nets," the newspaper said.

Pakistan is probably the best selling team in South Africa after the local side despite a poor recent tour to this part of the country. Not only the Indian muslims plan to come on Tuesday in huge numbers to pump the confidence of Pakistan, the locals are also said to be joining hands in boosting the confidence of Pakistan. The local cricket fanatics want Pakistan to beat Australia at every cost.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting also fancied his team would be on the wrong side of local crowds when they take to the field and believes Pakistan will be the crowd favourites.

"I don't think we can expect to much support from the South African crowd here," he admitted.

Samiul Hasan
Media Manager
Pakistan Cricket Team
February 6, 2003