Dawn Pakistan's most widely circulated English language newspaper.

Saeed Anwar cautions team about complacency

Dawn

26 October 1997


KARACHI, Oct 25: Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar told his team not to be complacent after sensing what may be their first-ever win over South Africa.

``Don't be over excited. It's still a long way to go. It needs another hard working day on Sunday to achieve what we have been aiming before the start of the series,'' Anwar advised his players who are buoyant after grabbing the wickets of both the openers with South Africa still 49 short of wiping out the first innings deficit.

Anwar admitted that his team was in the driving seat ``but South Africans are real fighters. They are probably the most professional side in the world today. And to beat them, we will really have to maintain if not raise the standard of our play,'' he said, while talking to this reporter from Faisalabad.

Anwar stated that his team had gone into the Test with a very positive attitude. ``We wanted to win here. The players were determined and the two days performances speaks volumes of their dedication and commitment.'' Anwar said the current planning was not to let South Africa score more runs. ``Honestly, I don't want to chase a big total. The smaller it (target) remains, the better for us. ``One of the salient factors of the South African team is their allround ability. They can get big scores and can also dismiss the opposition for a lower score. And we are aware of this thing.''

Anwar said his team was aiming to bowl South Africa out for something around 200 runs that will set 140 odd runs to get to victory. ``The two wickets in the final moments were perfect icing for us after Inzamamul Haq, Moin Khan, Aamir Sohail and Waqar Younis had led a spirited lower-order fightback. ``But the most enterprising innings was from Aamir (Sohail) because he was playing a Test after nearly 12 months. He needed a good innings to restore his confidence,'' Anwar, an old pal of Sohail, said.

Anwar had praise for the Test wicket. ``I am really happy with the surface. It seamed on the first day and gave some assistance to the spinners on the second day. Batsmen who occupied the crease and played shots on merit also got runs. What else you want from the track. ``I would like to see similar tracks in the series against the West Indies and in the future,'' Anwar said.

Anwar was a bit concerned about his own form. ``Yes, it is a matter of concern because I am a firm believer that a captain has to lead from the front otherwise he is considered a liability. ``But I have just got the job and it needs extra time to adjust to an additional responsibility. Moreover, it is just a bad patch which should be over with just one big innings,'' Anwar said.

Inzamamul Haq, who missed his first century at home, had mixed feelings. ``I am sad over missing the century but excited that the innings came at the right time. ``Brian McMillan denied me my first century at home. It was a wonderful catch. But overall, it has been a great team effort and everyone has contributed something in this Test,'' Inzamam said.


Source: Dawn
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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 19:08