The side grabbing all opportunities will win

Sri Lanka and Pakistan convincingly beat New Zealand and India to earn the right to figure in the finals.

MAGNIFICENT KNOCK

We would like to first comment on the game between arch rivals India and Pakistan in which the magnificent knock of 194 by the stylish and hard-hitting Saeed Anwar helped the Pakistanis to a massive score and a well deserved victory.

This great left hander who has a good eye and twinkling feet, is a treat to watch when in full cry and is anathema to the bowlers. In making 194, he erased the record of 189 which stood in the name of another great willow wielder, the redoubtable West Indian Vi- vian Richards as the highest individual score in the 'cowboy game'.

DISCOMFORT

Midway in his record breaking innings, Anwer felt unwell which necessitated a runner. He was apparently in discomfort but it did not deter him from playing his strokes. The strokes he played had rare timing and once the ball struck the bat, it flew to the bound- ary or over it like a missile.

There was nothing that skipper Tendulkar or his bowlers could do to stem the runs that were cascading from his bat. The bowler who will remember him most will be Anil Kumble for the three successive sixers he hit. His innings was chanceless and was made with the greatest of ease.

PRONE TO ILLNESS

Unfortunately, Anwar is prone to illness. He made his comeback after missing several tours and what a memorable comeback it was! It was obvious that he was the most feared batsman in the Pakistani line-up. The Indians had to show him back to the pavilion early if they hoped to be in the game.

But they failed to dismiss him and the price they paid was to be knocked out of the finals. Out of a Pakistani total of 327, Anwar has made 194. Once this total was made, it was apparent that the Indians would be struggling to reach this score.

BLAZING FORM

The Indian cricket fans would have been yearning to see their team make it to the finals. But with Anwar in this blazing form, there was no way. The Indians tried hard to get this score. But the Pak- istani score was always a winning one and that is how it remained and hosts India had to bow out.

The Sri Lankans played like true World champions to push New Zealand out. While again it was a team effort that paved the way, one cannot but make mention of the excellent captaincy of Arjuna Ranatun- ga.

COMPLIMENTS

Ranatunga set his field admirably knowing full well that he did not have a big score to play about with. He earned the compliments from the commentators and everyone for the wonderful bowling changes he effected. After the new ball bowlers Vaas and De Silva had done their bit, he brought on his two main spinners Muralitharan and Dharmasena. With their not having effect, he immediately switched on to his reserves Jayasuriya and Aravinda De Silva and how well they responded.

Once these two had eaten into the batting, he brought back Muralitharan and Dharmasena and they did the wrapping up suc- cessfully. That was captaincy from the top drawer which also prompted Sri Lanka's Ranjit Fernando, who is in the TV commentary team to say that Ranatunga, with his superb captaincy, has moulded the Lankans into an excellent unit.

'KALU' COMES GOOD

It would have also warmed the cockles of the Sri Lankans to see the enigmatic Romesh Kaluwitharana come good behind the wickets and with the bat. True he was taken away from his partner Jayasuriya. But it was done for the good of the team and how well that ploy clicked.

Today is the first final and the two teams Pakistan and Sri Lanka will approach this game tentatively. The Pakistanis have an awesome batting line-up while their bowling is weak.

LANKANS BETTER

On the other hand, the Lankan are the better all-round side. But all depends on who will play the better cricket. The side grabbing all the opportunities will win.

The Pakistanis revel when they bat first. To get them to chase will be to put pressure on them. Ranatunga will do well if he wins the toss to bat first and see how it goes.

Whatever the result, top drawer one day cricket is on the cards! Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net)

Contributed by Vishwa Gaddamanugu ( vg@cricinfo.com )