[Article] A Plea for Peace
rsci
Wasim Akram says the one blessing of losing is that it helps remove
complacency
PAKISTAN'S three-wicket defeat by South Africa is not the end of the
world. It has knocked us out of stride, but the loss to Bangladesh was the
result that really left us stunned. While we can curse our luck after
yesterday's game, we have no excuse for the way we played against
Bangladesh.
That match was a very difficult one for us. We had everything to lose if we
lost, but nothing to gain if we won. Moreover, the Bangladeshis played
inspired cricket and looked especially impressive in the field. I think this also
proves that no side can be taken lightly in a one-day match, and an upset is
always round the corner if you get complacent.
The other, almost predictable, fall-out was that the betting scandal reared its
head again. There are reports in the subcontinent claiming that many people
won money when we lost, and that some of the team members also
pocketed their share. I am not bothered by such allegations and, at present,
my only concern is getting the team through to the semi-final stage. I only
worry about what the team have to say, not how the media interprets our
performance back home or anywhere else.
Besides, the defeat may have been a blessing in disguise since it prevented
the euphoria and complacency that would have crept in with an all-win
record.
I would like to appeal to the Pakistani and Indian fans to be calm
irrespective of the result of Tuesday's match between us at Old Trafford.
What they will be seeing is only a game, and it would spoil the spirit of the
sport if unruly scenes mar what is bound to be a gripping day of cricket.
Having said that, I am sure the fans of both countries are sensible enough
and there will be no incident that will embarrass either country. Further, I
have spoken to some of the organisers at Old Trafford and they claim that
the security there will be ready to cope with any eventuality.
The basic trouble has been the crowd invasions, where fans can come close
enough to the players to cause them harm. However, I am sure Old
Trafford, which is a Test venue, will have facilities to prevent any untoward
incident.
As far as I am concerned, I would like to focus on the cricket and get my
team to the semi-final with as many wins as possible. I have not been feeling
well of late and have developed a stomach infection and have been running a
fever since Friday evening. Thankfully, I felt much better once I got on to the
field yesterday.
It was almost a day top celebrate and I was particularly pleased with the
performance of our wicketkkeeper Moin Khan, whose superb display with
bat almost won the day.
We have done a rethink on our opening combination and Wasti replaced
Shahid Afridi for yesterday's Super Sixes match. Our other problem is the
much-talked-about running between the wickets by Inzamam. It had
improved considerably during the games preceding the World Cup, but
unfortunately he has been tentative during this tournament. He has been
working hard at correcting this facet of his game, but yesterday he suffered
again. Inzamam has been batting beautifully during this World Cup and I
have no complaints as far as his performance is concerned.
One of our major problems has concerned practice facilities. In
Northampton on Monday, inclement weather prevented sessions on the
ground. The indoor facilities were reserved for the sponsors. I was quite
appalled by the logic that should prompt organisers to give precedence to
the sponsors and not the players, who make all that sponsorship possible.
Who is more important, the cricketers or the sponsors? It was bad enough
to have to start the tournament without a single warm-up game, but the
subsequent arrangements or the lack of them was even more unfortunate.
Fortunately the Super Sixes are being held only in Test centres, where the
facilities should be satisfactory - we hope.
Thanks :: The Electronic Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk