Pakistan, Australia to play last one-dayer today (10 November 1998)

10 November 1998

Pakistan, Australia to play last one-dayer today

By Ilyas Beg

LAHORE, Nov 9: The battered Pakistan team, having already lost to Australia the Test series 0-1 and the one-day international series 0-2, will try to redeem its prestige by winning the third and last one-day international at the Qadhafi Stadium on Tuesday. The match will begin at 9 am.

A firm batting pitch has been prepared which can assist the pacemen also in initial stages of the match. Both the teams practised at the Qadhafi Stadium on Monday.

Talking to Dawn at the Qadhafi Stadium, coach and former Test star Javed Miandad said:

"Yes! the final Pakistan Eleven will be named on Tuesday morning out of the 14 players already announced, after having a close look at the pitch".

Brittleness of top-order batting has been the main worry ofthe Pakistan team which has been failing to putup respectable totals both the in Tests and one-day internationals during the current series. However, there have been a few exceptions. Fitness problem of the opener Saeed Anwar, prolific batsman Inzimam-ul-Haq and guileful right-arm leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad has upset the balance of the team. Too much experimentation in different matches has prevented the team from developing into a cohesive and united outfit. However, the Pakistan team, comprising mostly youngsters has the capability to revitalise itself and gain the necessary rhythm.

The Pakistan team will be relying on seasoned campaigners Salim Malik, Ejaz Ahmad, Aamir Sohail, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan and talented youngsters Azhar Mahmood, Yousaf Yohanna and Hasan Raza to score a good total. The pacemen Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Muhammad Akram and Azhar Mahmood will have to bowl at a better length and to a good direction to restrict the strong Australian batting line-up from building good innings. The spinners Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Arshad Khan can also play a more responsible role in getting a win for Pakistan. Above all, the team will have to brace its fielding and hold catches if it is to revamp its tarnished image.

Australiais a well-knit unit and itgivesgood performance due to discipline, fighting-spirit and team-work. If one puts defeat in Dhaka aside captain Steve Waugh has been leading through example. His twin-brother Mark Waugh along withDarren Lehmann, Michael Bevan and Ricky Ponting have been in fine form. Glen McGrath has proved main tormentor of the Pakistan team with Damien Fleming and Brendon Julien giving him admirable support. As always, fielding of the Australian side has been world-class. Over-all balance of the Australian side may deny even a consolation win. However, the unpredictable Pakistan team can turn the tables on Australia.

Although Pakistan has already lost the three-match one-day international series 0-2 yet a large crowd is expected to watch the last match of tour of the Australians. It will be a contest between two strong sides of the world which have exciting players in their ranks.

Pakistan: Aamir Sohail (captain), Ejaz Ahmad, Salim Malik, Yousaf Yohanna, Hasan Raza, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Asif Mahmood, Shahid Afridi, Muhammad Akram.

Australia: Steve Waugh (captain), Mark Waugh,Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Darren Lehmann, Glen McGrath, Brendon Julien, Brad Young, Damien Fleming, Gavin Robertson, Michael Kasprowicz, Andrew Symonds.

Umpires: Mian Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Nazir Junior.

TV umpire: Malik Iftikhar.
Reserve umpire: Azhar Hasan.
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)