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Pakistan, lately used to depending on the match-winning feats of Shoaib Akhtar, meet South Africa in the opening match of the Morocco Cup Monday at the Tangiers Cricket Stadium.

Waqar Younis's men then face Sri Lanka Wednesday on their 55th Independence Day in the first round action of the double league tournament, which carries a prize-money of US$250,000, with the winners to get $120,000.

The 5,000-seater stadium in this French-speaking northern African country becomes the 141st venue to stage one-day cricket.

Shoaib's re-emergence last year gave a new impetus to the underachieving Pakistanis who had been struggling to find the winning combinations before then. But now with the team settled and on a roll, the temperamental Shoaib gave preference to his own interests and skipped this competition citing personal reasons.

If Shoaib's withdrawal amidst contradictory claims has dealt a blow to Pakistan's chances, it has also given the remaining players an opportunity to show that this sport remains a team game. Thus, this provides them a chance to scrap the tag of a one-man team.

Pakistan has produced several outstanding cricketers in their proud history. And though it might be a bunch of individuals in the past, it was never a one-man team and nor it is now. One would prefer it leaving to the team and let them prove the pundits and probably Shoaib wrong.

Pakistan has been playing some heart-throbbing cricket with the senior boys producing inspiring performances. Waqar Younis has led from the front and the support he has received from his men is a clear indication that the often disintegrated team is now well-knitted and united.

It is this fact that even a player of the experience and stature of Saeed Anwar now looks a misfit. The left-hander will be playing only his third one-dayer Monday in almost 12 months. Personal problems have affected his performance and consistency.

It is because of Saeed that Pakistan is compelled to reshuffle their batting order and demote hard-hitting Shahid Afridi and keep Shoaib Malik confined to the dressing room after Imran Nazir cemented his place with heroics with the bat and in the field. One is not a big supporter of this experiment and strongly believes Shahid's exploits deserve to be utilized on top of the order because he is technically more conducive against the quickies than the slow bowlers.

The Morocco Cup also launches a hectic season for Pakistan team in the run-up to next year's the World Cup.

A tally of nearly 25 One-day Internationals and seven Tests are enough to take the toll on the players and there is no hidden secret that the Pakistanis lack the highest level of fitness. That makes the task of Australian physio Dennis Waight even tougher.

South Africa have nothing to lose in this tournament despite the drama of their luggage being misplaced. They have not played any cricket since April and they are straight coming from a home winter season.

The Proteas in their last appearance on the international scene, were virtually run over by the Australians.

Sri Lanka also had terrible run upto this event when they were convincingly beaten in the Tests in England and also failed to qualify for the finals of the triangular series.

Nevertheless, both South Africa and Sri Lanka remain dangerous opponents and Pakistan will require to play out of their potential to topple them and emerge winners.

Also on the line will be the tag of the second best one-day team behind world champions Australia. Pakistan narrowed the gap after beating Ricky Ponting's men 2-1 in the Super Challenge-II.

However, the gap between the three teams here is not big and Pakistan would certainly be attempting to win the unanimous vote of the experts as the team that is only capable of challenging Australia.

All said and done, exciting cricket on an unknown but marvellous territory is on cards. Though one would hate to predict but still Pakistan looks the best bet.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Waqar Younis (captain), Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif, Abdul Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq.

South Africa: Shaun Pollock (captain), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Allan Donald, Boeta Dippenaar, Justin Ontong, Paul Adams, Roger Telemachus.

© Dawn