Pakistan-Zimbabwe One-day series decider today (24 November 1998)

24 November 1998

Pakistan-Zimbabwe One-day series decider today

By Our Sports Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: A struggling Pakistan take on spirited Zimbabwe in the one-day series decider tomorrow with more than just the reputation to safeguard against the tourists.

With the fate of the one-day series to be decided from this third and final game at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, cricket fans will get their money's worth as both teams are expected put up their best to clinch the fixture.

The tourists stormed back into the series with a six wicket win at Sheikhupura having conceded the opener at Gujranwala.

Leaving the expectations and aspirations from the home team on one side, the Pakistan skipper Aamir Sohail will have to lead from the front to guide Pakistan to this must-achieve one-day win in order to break free from the present low cycle.

A sporting wicket has been prepared for the game and both sets of opposition termed it a batting paradise.

Zimbabwean skipper Alistair Campbell wants to build on their performance at tomorrow's decider having tied the series 1-1. "Our team clicked very well at Shiekhupura, both batsmen and bowlers did their job but we had a small total to chase and I'm sure that Pakistan would be coming out trying to rectify their mistakes," he said.

Campbell reminded the Pakistani camp that having played some 70-odd one-day games, Zimbabwe were no more the "babes" of cricket. "We have improved in all departments of the game and we have good experience to back us," he said.

Dave Houghton, the Zimbabwe team manager, stated that there would be one change in the side which played the two matches. Middle order batsman Gavin Rennie would be replacing Craig Evans who made 2 in the last game.

Houghton said that 250-280 runs would be a good total for any team at the Pindi pitch. "We don't mind chasing also but we'll have a final look at the wicket tomorrow," he said.

Houghton stated that his team has a good chance of beating the hosts. "I think we have a good chance and we will be playing our best game."

The Zimbabwe team alongside the hosts held a two hour and half hour warm-up cum net session at the ground.

The news at the Pakistani camp is that spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is down with flu and fever, he was present at the ground but did not participate in the net session. It was stated that the flu bug was travelling with the team from Gujranwala and most of the players were not feeling upto the mark because of sickness.

The disturbing news originating from the Pakistani team is that skipper Amir Sohail is not hundred percent fit. According to selection committee member Shafiq Ahmad, `papa', Sohail is suffering from flu. But will hopefully sufficiently recover to play tomorrow.

Skipper Aamir Sohail, Mushtaq Ahmed and Ijaz Ahmed did not attend the nets, the cricketers were arriving late, Javed Miandad told reporters.

"Sohail and Mushtaq had some domestic commitments while Ijaz would also be arriving in the evening," he said. Miandad said that Ijaz has fully recovered from flu having rested for two days and Waqar Younis also claims hundred percent fitness.

Speedster Waqar Younis took part in the net session and appeared far better than his earlier form.

Javed Miandad minced no words while declaring that his players failed to perform on a batting wicket in Sheikhupura and that they had no excuses for the breakdown. But, he also has no magic to bring out a consistent and better performance from a talented group of cricketers called the Pakistan team who have worked on the basis of on-again off-again impulse.

"The spirit, of a fight-back has to come from within the players, we can only guide them but they are the ones who have to perform on the field," the coach said.

The coach was also not happy with the performance of the youngsters stating that they have failed to exploit the excellent opportunities given to them.

Miandad yet again denied there were any problems within the team and that Sohail was getting full cooperation from each and everyone.

Zimbabwe: Neil C. Johnson, Grant W. Flower, Murray W. Goodwin, Gavin Rennie, Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell, C.B Wishart, Paul A. Strang, Heath Streak, Eddo Brandes, Andrew Whittal, Henry Olonga (12th man).

Pakistan (from): Aamir Sohail (captain), Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed, Hasan Raza, Inzamamul Haq, Yousuf Yohanna, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Aaquib Javed, Shoaib Akhtar.

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