Dawn Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper.

Haroon wants to win series then aim for white-wash

By Our Sports Reporter

27 November 1997


KARACHI, Nov 26: Pakistan cricket coach Haroon Rasheed said on Wednesday that his first task was to seal the three-Test series at Rawalpindi before he aims for a white-wash at Karachi.

``Naturally, I would like to win all the three Tests but first we have to beat the weather and then the West Indies at Rawalpindi to go for a 3-0 kill. ``It is a daunting task because we are playing a difficult team like the West Indies who can bounce back anytime,'' Haroon said. The West Indies' only white-wash was way back in 1929 when they lost all the three Tests to England in England. However, Haroon said he was quite optimistic that his team would cherish his dreams. ``The boys are all geared up and they have started to sense their responsibilities. One good win has definitely lifted their morale which was down after the defeat (by South Africa) by 53 runs at Faisalabad.

``Then we have players of different varieties in our team. We have three really good pacers, including Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, while there is Mushtaq Ahmad who can run-through any team on his day. His 97 wickets in the last 14 Tests speak volumes of the form he is in. ``On the contrary, West Indies still depend on their pace attack which is an aging but experienced one. ``In batting, our top order is more experienced than the West Indies who still revolve around Brian Lara and Carl Hooper,'' said the Pakistan coach. Nevertheless, Haroon emphasised that despite his team being more formidable on paper, it needed to deliver the goods on the field. ``What's the point of being good on paper and bad on ground. I would be more satisfied if we are not good on paper but consistent on the field.''

Haroon stated that Pakistan won the Peshawar Test chiefly because his team cashed in on the maximum opportunities whereas the West Indies dropped not less than half a dozen chances. ``Had they caught Inzamamul Haq when he was 5, the match would have been quite different.'' Haroon was confident that the Rawalpindi pitch would be hard and green as promised. ``But until I see it myself, I can't commit. I have been promised by the authorities that the (Rawalpindi) Test will not be as dull as the one against South Africa.'' Against South Africa, only two-and-half innings were completed with a total of 1,041 runs scored for the loss of 26 wickets. Two centuries and half a dozen half centuries were recorded in the match.

Haroon admitted that the West Indies batting was short of match practice but maintained that strong sides don't only depend on warm-up games. ``They are a great team and don't really want practice matches to perform. They are mentally strong and when you are mentally tough, you excel even in adverse conditions. ``Teams like West Indies want three big scores from the top order and they start dictating terms,'' he said. Haroon was of the view that his batsmen would continue their form on the expected hard and green track - pitches normally not made in Pakistan. ``They are professionals and know they have to show their skills on any pitches that are made available to them. ``All they (Pakistan batsmen) need is to apply themselves and occupy the wicket for as long as they can. Saeed Anwar, Ijaz Ahmad and Inzamamul Haq did the same at Peshawar and I would love to see the trio along with Aamir Sohail to do the same next week.''

Haroon was glad that Waqar Younis has been drafted back into the team. ``He is a wonderful bowler and a true match-winner. His inclusion will certainly provide strength to the pace attack which is on the incline with the return of form of Wasim Akram.''


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 19:17