The Hindu : ACC tourney: India's matches shifted from Karachi to Lahore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003

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ACC tourney: India's matches shifted from Karachi to Lahore

By Our Special Correspondent

Mumbai Oct. 27. India's matches in the Videocon Asian Cricket Council (under-19) four-nation tournament has been shifted from the National Stadium, Karachi to the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. The BCCI Jt. Secretary Prof. Ratnakar Shetty said that Pakistan's Interior Ministry is making arrangements to facilitate the entry of the Indian team through Lahore. "The team's original entry point was Karachi. Now the team will fly to Dubai and from there it will proceed to Lahore via Karachi.''

The limited overs tournament is to be played from October 31 to November 6.

For the first time in many years an Indian cricket team will visit Pakistan. "The team and myself are looking forward to the visit. This will help India prepare for the under-19 World Cup to be played in Bangladesh early next year,'' said coach Robin Singh after the team's practice at the Cricket Club of India.

The former India all-rounder said he will be undertaking a tour with almost a brand new team. "There are familiar faces like Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan. Some of the new faces look very impressive. Dinesh Kartik has played Ranji Trophy and he is doing quite well. Last year there were a lot of all-rounders in the team. Timil Patel and Udit Patel were bowlers, but they could bat as well. It was the lower order which made all the difference in England. Chandrasekhar Atram, a No. 11 batsman also contributed. Among the new faces now are two new ball bowlers who have the skill to move the ball. They are sharp as well.''

"Playing in Pakistan is a totally different kettle of fish. There are lot of expectations and we are looking forward to win the tournament, more than anything else. I have played on two occasions there. I don't see any difference cricket-wise. It's just that they want to see the Indian cricketers. We have to make sure we don't give in to pressures. I want the boys to go out and play their natural game. The conditions in Lahore would be similar to that in Mohali. The wickets there are good for batting. It will seam about a little bit.''

Robin Singh said what's important is that the under-19 team is getting exposure. "They are looking forward to playing for India and not playing cricket in Pakistan. That's a big plus for the boys. The competition will be good. Sri Lanka gets its talent from its under-19 team. All of us have under-19 programmes. We are expected to beat Bangladesh, but we are not going to take them for granted. I have a new team and I have got to understand and develop a rapport with them in a short period of time. I don't want to try and change their game. My aim will be to eliminate errors like bowling no balls and wides. I will also tell them to think cricket.''

"I try and deal with them on a one-to-one basis on certain areas. There are language problems, but I encourage them to ask questions. The aim is to know me better. Also I have to earn their respect. The best thing about the under-19 team is that the players are enthusiastic. You get fast results. You see them grow as a cricketer.''

Robin Singh said that if he can make a difference to their cricket, he will be a happy man. "I have told them winning is important for a team and for their individual progress. The coach of the under-19 team is literally the captain of the team from outside. He gets very little time to assess the opponents. He has to react fast, take quick decisions and pass it on to the team, because these players have not played enough cricket to do it on their own. You certainly have to send messages when the game is on. There are no two ways about it.''

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