Dawn Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper.

'A' teams hope to break the ice in last 'Test'

By Samiul Hasan

Saturday, March 07, 1998


KARACHI, March 6: History will be on India 'A's side when the visitors take on Pakistan 'A' in the fourth and last unofficial cricket 'Test' at the National Stadium from Saturday.

Some nine years ago, India Under-19 beat Pakistan Under-19 at the same venue to win the three-'Test' series 1-0.

To add woes to the Pakistan team worries, their junior teams have never won on this centre which is a complete contrast to the senior string which has never lost here.

Pakistan junior string's recent defeat was last season when Allan Border's Under-19 team beat Pakistan Under-19 by five wickets.

``I don't know if history will be on our side but I promise that we will play positive cricket. I wouldn't like to predict but we would play absolutely aggressive cricket,'' said Indian coach Krish Srikkant.

``I am not bothered what has happened in the past. I am more interested in what is going to happen in the next four days. Whatever may be the result, at least four full day's match will be played which will only benefit the game,'' Pakistan captain Aqib Javed remarked.

Though this series has been badly ruined by rains, still, India has emerged as a better outfit in whatever cricket has been played. They have excelled in both the departments of the game.

The tourists dismissed Pakistan for 112 in the first 'Test' at Rawalpindi where only one day's play was possible. After a complete wash-out at Peshawar, India A batsmen went on a run-riot at Lahore and collected a colossal 555 for five. They then restricted the home team to 69 for three when rains ruled out further play.

However, the MET office has forecast dry spell in the next four days which must be a great news not only for the visitors but also for the home team.

``It is a very sad scenario that we have been able to complete just one match though we are here for the last 30 days,'' added the former Indian captain.

Pakistan A has made three changes in the team that played at Lahore, including Test spinner Ali Husain Rizvi who finished as the pick of the home team bowlers with three for 183. Also go out Mohammad Husain and Sajid Shah and in come off-spinner Murtuza Husain and Shahid Qambrani with the latter expected to sit out.

Though the home team has failed to give a good account of itself despite having Test players in their lineup, Srikkant refuses to ignore the hosts.

``They have good experience in their lineup. Though we haven't played full four days, it is difficult to compare (Pakistan A) with my team which is a semi-inexperienced bunch of cricketers roaring to show their mettle with hardwork,'' Srikkant added.

The match would be of significant importance to the three home players - Shahid Afridi, Basit Ali and Hasan Raza. Basit did get some runs earlier in the series while Raza had just one visit to the crease. But Afridi is over due for runs having failed in his previous outings. But this is one of Afridi's favourite grounds on which he got his first first-class century earlier this season that was punctuated with six sixes and more than a dozen boundaries.

The wicket prepared for the match has some green spots which should encourage the pacer though the strip is bound to lose pace as well as some bounce.

``It seems to be a placid and flat track. It is a very ticklish question whether it would produce any result,'' Srikkant opined.

The tourists have already announced their 12 players. The inclusion of Murali Kartik is subject to fitness after he was struck on his chin off a bowler's back drive during the training session on Friday.

Teams (to be selected from):

PAKISTAN A: Aqib Javed (captain), Basit Ali, Salim Elahi, Shahid Afridi, Hasan Raza, Bayazid Khan, Akhtar Sarfaraz, Abdul Razzak, Humayun Farhat (wicketkeeper), Murtuza Husain, Jaffar Nazeer and Shahid Qambrani.

INDIA A: Wasim Jaffar, Gagan Khoda (captain), Jatin Paranjpe, Mannava Prasad, Abbas Ali, Rohan Gavaskar, Sanjay Rahul, Sairaj Bahutule, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik, N Madhukar, Noel David.

UMPIRES: Salim Badar and M Siddique Khan

MATCH REFEREE: Iqbal Sikandar


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 07 Mar1998 - 18:29