Testing time for Moin

SHARJAH, MARCH 22: Shahid Afridi walked up to team-mate Yousuf Youhana, who had just returned from the nets, and asked him: ``Did you have...

SHARJAH, MARCH 22: Shahid Afridi walked up to team-mate Yousuf Youhana, who had just returned from the nets, and asked him: “Did you have a bath today? I bet you didn’t?”

The mood in the Pakistan camp on the eve of Coca Cola Cup match against India is relaxed. But there was an underlining tension as they went through their paces at the nets on Wednesday. Pakistan, who made it to the World Cup finals last year, have been through hell and worse in the last four months. And it has been compounded by the sacking of players amid

various allegations.

They are well aware that a defeat here will push them further down disaster track, hence it is make-or-bust time for them. It will be quite a task for the newly-appointed skipper Moin Khan, who took over from Saeed Anwar.

Story continues below this ad

Anwar spent only a few days at the helm after taking over from Wasim Akram after the team’s return from a nightmarish tour of Australia. Moin has to not only to wipe out the stigma of recent defeats against Australia and Sri Lanka, but also restore the fans’ faith in his players.

The Indians are no better, though the recent wins over South Africa in one-dayers will give them some heart.

The Pakistanis have always done well here, especially against India. The old fox Javed Miandad’s return as team’s coach will lift the morale of his team, as he understands the demands of cricket at this venue well.

Miandad’s on-field rivalry with Indian coach Kapil Dev is well known. On Wednesday, the two will be engaged in their first boardroom battle. Like Miandad, Kapil too has a point to prove. Indian’s latest skipper Saurav Ganguly has begun well and the onus of lifting the team’s fortunes lie in his and Kapil’s hands now.

Teams (from)

Story continues below this ad

India: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid (vice-captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Sunil Joshi, Saba Karim, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Nikhil Chopra, S Sriram and Mohammed Kaif.

Pakistan: Moin Khan (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Naved, Wajahtullah Wasti, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Wasim Akram, Shoiab Akhtar, Waqar Younis, Mohammed Akram, Abdur Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Arshad Khan, Shoaib Malik.

Umpires: John Hampshire (England) and Peter Manuel (Sri Lanka). Third umpire: Daryl Harper (Australia).

Hours of play (IST): 4.30-8 pm and 8.45 pm till end of play.