Sohail terms Sahara Cup victory as morale-booster (25 Sep 1998)

25 September 1998

Sohail terms Sahara Cup victory as morale-booster

The Dawn

KARACHI, Sept 24: Skipper Aamir Sohail termed Pakistan's success in the Sahara Cup as a morale-booster for the forthcoming series against Australia. "The thumping win over India has lifted our morale and restored the shaken confidence. We are now prepared to face Australia who are undoubtedly the top Test playing country," Sohail told Dawn after he returned from Toronto, Canada.

The Pakistan team was given a rousing welcome by hundreds of cricket followers who had gathered outside the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport to pay tributes to the team which beat India 4-1.

As the Pakistan cricketers emerged from the shuttle, all those present in the area couldn't resist their emotions and embraced the players, shook hands and padded on their backs.

Outside the airport, many of the enthusiasts carried the placards terming Shahid Afridi, Javed Miandad, Moin Khan, Inzamamul Haq and Aamir Sohail as national heroes. "Afridi put India to sixes and sevens," read one banner while the other said: "Beware Australians, we are back in form".

Aamir Sohail and Javed Miandad had all smiles when they were approached by mediamen.

"It's a great start to the season ahead. I think we have managed to pick up pieces of a scattered team," Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said, adding: "We were a different team in Canada and I hope that we will continue with the momentum."

Sohail said: "Victory over India in any part of the world is a great achievement. I am glad that it came at the right time. We desperately needed some real inspiring performance before the series against Australia."

Miandad attributed the success to the players who played with determination and unity. "They were always the best. Understanding in the past was a missing link which we have achieved," said the coach.

The former Pakistan captain admitted the series against Australia would be a challenging one. "It is a seasoned and well-balanced team. We will have to play really well to beat them.

"They are without Shane Warne but they are still known to set standards for the rest. The absence of one or two players is always a blow but you have to carry one," remarked Miandad, who played in eight series' against Australia including three as captain.

Miandad said he would not predict the outcome of the series but promised that it would be full of thrills. "Whenever you play Australia, the series goes to the wire. They are a competitive side and never give up even when their chips are down.

Aamir Sohail said he thoroughly enjoyed his first assignment as captain. "There is never a biggest satisfaction than to lead a winning team, particularly the team which beat India by a comprehensive 4-1 margin."

But he warned that it was just a start. "It is a long way ahead which ends with the World Cup next year."

Sohail said the first match against India in the Sahara Cup provided him the opportunity to gauged the Indians. "After that we knew exactly what we have to do and we followed the strategy."

About the series against Australia, Sohail said it would be a hard one. "They (Australia) gave us a real scare when they played here four years ago. But I am confident that if we continue the way we are playing, we can emerge as clear winners," said the skipper.

Sohail said his team had the edge in the absence of Shane Warne. "He is a tremendous bowler who has delivered the goods against every opposition in any conditions. His absence might be the crucial factor in the outcome of the rubber."

The Pakistan captain admitted that there might be a selection problem for the first Test. "We have great pacers and spinners. Now it has to be decided who of them have to play and in what proportion.

"After watching the Australians in the four-dayer, we will decide what type of wickets should be prepared for the series. Nowadays, there is the only advantage a home team has - to prepare wickets which suit them."

The team, which returned Thursday morning, was:

Aamir Sohail (captain), Aqib Javed (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamamul Haq, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmad, Yousuf Yohanna, Moin Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Abdul Razzak, Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Zahid.

Javed Miandad was the coach, Azhar Zaidi manager and Dr Dan Keisal the physiotherapist.

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