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 Mohali (Punjab), Oct 24: With skipper Stephen Fleming all set to become the highest capped one-day captain, it will provide New Zealand a spark of extra motivation to pull off a surprise win in their crucial encounter against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy cricket tournament here tomorrow. The game will provide the New Zealanders an opportunity to make amends for their defeat against Sri Lanka and also pay the perfect tribute to their inspirational skipper who will overtake Lankan Arjuna Ranatunga's record of having led in 193 ODIs in the day-night clash at the PCA Stadium. Having started the tournament with an upset win over the fancied South Africa, much was expected from the side who appear really keen this time to shed off the tag of perennial dark horses by clinching the mini World Cup for a second time after 2000.
The stakes are high for New Zealand as a defeat would mean their exit from the ten-team competition. But Pakistan can afford to lose this one and still remain in contention for a semi-final berth as they will be playing only their second game unlike the Kiwis for whom this will be the third and final match. Pakistan appears to be taking things a trifle easy after their unexpected victory over Sri Lanka in the thick of the doping controversy involving pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif who have since flown back home in disgrace. While the New Zealanders have been practising hard since the last two days, the Pakistanis are yet to have a serious session of nets although they arrived almost a week ago. Even yesterday, Pakistan cricket team had an optional practice with only six of the players turning out late in the evening as compared to the Kiwis who sweated it out for close to three hours.
Younis Khan and his men are probably and understandably caught up in a festival mood on account of Eid which is being celebrated today. So there have been evenings out to theatres and shopping and iftaar parties. But it will be foolhardy to write off this team from across the border, given their penchant to thrive in adversities and powerhouse of talent in the likes of Younis, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi. New Zealand may be shorn of stars and glamour in contrast but match Pakistanis in their grit. And with a rare luxury of having all its members fighting fit, they could prove to be a tough nut to crack.
Tearaway fast bowler Shane Bond and handy all-rounder Scott Styris have been ruled fit after being troubled by back problems, providing a big sigh of relief to Fleming who admitted that their chances had been bolstered by the availability of these two key players for the crunch match. "Other countries like Australia, India, England, have a number of players they can call on. We don't have that luxury. We still hurt when we lose a Shane Bond or Scott Styris because they have varied experience," said Fleming.
More than bowling, it is batting which must be worrying the 33-year-old left-hander as his side folded up for 165 to go down by seven wickets in the match against Sri Lanka. Nathan Astle looked in good touch with a 42 but the form of Lou Vincent who struggled for 41 balls before making 13 would indeed be rankling the captain. Vincent, on his part, promised to live up to his captain's expectations, deriving confidence from the last time that he played at this venue, a Test against India in which he made a ton. "I have a good history at Mohali. The wicket should also play true here," said the 27-year-old.
Coming to the wicket, curator Daljit Singh is confident of a good, competitive game in the offing after all the efforts put in by the groundsmen to prepare a hard-rolled wicket affording even bounce and carry. The dew factor is bound to come into play with the nip in the air heralding the onset of winter. But this is something no one can do much about except hope that it does not have too much a bearing on the outcome of the match. (Agencies)
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