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Wasim's captaincy finally helps Pakistan fulfil potential

By Imran Khan

August 8 1996


NOT only are the current Pakistan team the best produced by Pakistan but, in my opinion, they are also the most talented team in world cricket today. Unfortunately, they have performed erratically in the last four years, despite their enormous talent. Pakistan have lacked self-esteem and self-belief, both crucial for success.

Another significant reason why the team have failed to live up to their potential has been the instability caused within by the appointment of seven captains in four years. But during this tour of England, and under Wasim Akram's captaincy, Pakistan seem to have grown in confidence. The win in the first Test at Lord's should have boosted the team's morale, which was shattered by losing to India in the World Cup quarter-finals.

In terms of talent, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq cannot be far behind Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Mark Waugh. The problem is that neither Saeed nor Inzamam seems to have the same hunger for runs that Lara and Tendulkar so obviously have. At Lord's, Saeed looked pure class and in both innings had the English bowlers at his mercy. Yet he did not convert his 74 and 88 into big hundreds.

Inzamam's class was also obvious at Lord's when he scored that magnificent 148. Yet in the past he has displayed an almost careless attitude to his batting. I have never known a batsman to run himself out so often in international matches. Moreover, there does not seem to be much effort on his part to lose weight and make more of his enormous God-given talent. I remember how Geoff Boycott used to work on his batting and fitness.

Wasim will be disappointed that Aamir Sohail has been forced out after damaging his left hand at Lord's. Aamir is an extremely aggressive and daring batsman who can put tremendous pressure on bowlers. Ijaz Ahmed's second-innings 76 at Lord's should have given him confidence. He is the one batsman Pakistan will be re- lying on for crease occupation - so important at Headingley.

BUT the main problem for Pakistan is going to be the poor form of Salim Malik. A bit like India's captain, Mohammed Azharuddin, Salim looks world class when he is in form and on the attack. Unfortunately, when he is out of form the head goes down and he does not inspire much confidence in his team. Pakistan will be hoping that he repeats his performance of 1992 at Headingley, when he scored 82 not out and 84 not out in totals of 197 and 221.

The moment the top five or six wickets of any opposition fall, they become like a pack of wolves, almost fighting each other to devour the tail.

The find of the tour for Pakistan has been the 18-year-old Shadab Kabir. He showed a fine temperament and technique at Lord's on his debut.

It is in the bowling department that Pakistan have an edge over the other cricketing countries. They have three world-class wicket-taking bowlers in Mushtaq Ahmed, Wasim and Waqar Younis. The moment the top five or six wickets of any opposition fall, they become like a pack of wolves, almost fighting each other to devour the tail. Their strength lies in the fact that they do not necessarily need helpful conditions to bowl teams out. I guess this is the advantage of learning to bowl on dead wickets in Pakistan.

The Pakistan bowling attack also has great depth. Ata-ur-Rehman will improve as he bowls more and more. At the moment he lacks consistency and often looks as if he is bowling out of rhythm. Waiting in reserve are Shahid Nazir and and Mohammed Akram - both capable of being genuinely fast. Two other talented bowlers not selected for the tour are Aamir Nazir and Aqib Javed, who could play for a lot of Test nations.

However, the most exciting recent find is the off-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq. I think he is the best of his type in world cricket today, especially because of his well disguised arm ball. Pakistan made a big mistake by not placing him in the last World Cup.

ENGLAND will be hoping for a green Headingley wicket with overcast conditions. In theory in such conditions a bowling attack consisting of four pace bowlers will give England their best chance of bowling out Pakistan twice. Moreover, on a green wicket, Mushtaq is not likely to be so effective and Waqar might not be able to reverse swing the ball as he did at Lord's.

My experience tells me, however, that in cricket practice differs considerably from theory as there are so many variables that come into the game. For example, what if Pakistan win the toss and put England in on a green wicket? After all, Wasim is not likely to be an easy proposition if there is moisture around.

The player who puzzles me most has been Graeme Hick. He looks every inch a cricketer. He catches well, can bowl when needed and, against county attacks, looks a world-class batsman.

Also at Headingley a lot depends on the weather. If it is sunny, often on a green wicket there is hardly any movement. Conversely if it is overcast, even on a bare wicket, the ball begins to move.

England are likely to make at least three changes and, though they look unavoidable, such changes can be very unsettling because players coming into a team in the middle of a series are under tremendous pressure.

Both Andrew Caddick and John Crawley, if he plays, will be extremely tense, while Chris Lewis and Nasser Hussain will be under a different form of pressure. The latter two, having done well against India, will be anxious to perform against stronger opposition. The player who puzzles me most has been Graeme Hick. He looks every inch a cricketer. He catches well, can bowl when needed and, against county attacks, looks a world-class batsman. Yet he has not been able to eliminate a simple flaw in his technique that has been apparent since he entered the Test arena amid great expectations.

His first movement, like many county cricketers, is forward. Not being nimble on his feet, this initial movement gets him into trouble with short-pitched bowling, or with Waqar's swinging yorkers.

All he has to do is watch the way Graham Thorpe, Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart go back and across, rather than forward, while playing fast bowlers. All three cope well with bouncers or Waqar's swinging yorkers. Headingley Test matches are always exciting - but this one will make particularly compulsive watching.


Source: The Electronic Telegraph
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 15:33