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Delight and relief for Wright

By Our Special Correspondent

RAWALPINDI, MARCH 14. John Wright said India's thrilling five-run win over Pakistan in the first ODI in Karachi on Saturday resulted in a feeling of both "delight and relief.''

The Indian coach said, "it was a great way for us to start the series."

While Wright said India's batting display was exciting, he conceded that the bowling would have to improve. "We bowled well in the first 15 overs, but did not do so in the middle-overs.''

The key factor for the players in the India-Pakistan games would be to remain calm, he said. "It is all right to have passion, but it has to be directed in the right manner.''

On Inzamam-ul-Haq's decision to field first, Wright said the Pakistan captain, in the end, almost got the result he wanted. He added, though, that India would have batted first had it won the toss.

The coach hoped that star batsman V.V.S. Laxman would recover in time from a knee injury before the second match of the Samsung series here on Tuesday.

Pakistan manager Haroon Rashid, pointing out to the no-balls and wides sent down by Shoaib Akhtar, said the pace spearhead's reputation was at stake in the series.

Due to the lack of discipline in bowling, Pakistan sent down 55 overs instead of 50, he added.

He said the team had dwelt on its weak points and had decided to play with more composure. While India's batting was strong, its bowling would have to be targeted, he said.

About the effort of his batsmen, Rashid said, "we have never chased so many runs. Although we lost, we put up a great fight.''

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