The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : It will be evenly fought: Altaf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 02, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

It will be evenly fought: Altaf

By Our Special Correspondent

DHARAMSALA, MARCH 1. "Like Sachin Tendulkar in your country, Shoaib Akhtar is a big star in our country. Even when he sneezes, it becomes headlines." This was Pakistan manager Saleem Altaf's description of the larger-than-life image of the temperamental speedster made by the media.

Speaking to mediapersons on arrival here, Mr. Altaf said that he was hopeful of Shoaib recovering fully for the one-day series. "We all know that he is raring to go."

Altaf joined the Pakistan cricketers who arrived this morning but could not practice due to a spell of drizzle.

He also hinted at a likely logistical problem which Pakistan was likely to face before the first Test commencing at Mohali on March 8.

"We play here from March 3 to 5 and are due to reach Mohali on March 6. That will leave us with just a day's `nets' before the first Test. This is our concern. We have requested your Board to make our travel arrangements for Mohali on the evening of March 5. That should give us an additional day of workout," said Mr. Altaf.

Looking back at the preparatory camp at Lahore, Mr. Altaf said, "we released a few of our boys to play the four-day Patron's Trophy match to get back into rhythm (after the Australian tour)." He also confirmed that no team member faced any fitness problem.

On the composition of the team for the practice game, he said, "we are yet to discuss the composition. I am sure it will be a mix of youth and experience," he said but was quick to add, "these days, the tours are so condensed that youngsters usually end up carrying baggage."

He was of the view that India or Pakistan, pace bowlers could be nurtured only if they were given the right conditions and not made to bowl on "slow and low pitches."

On the subject of restrained off-spinner Shoaib Malik, Mr. Altaf said that the issue would be discussed by the Bowling Review Committee before Malik could bowl. "The PCB stands by its view that it is an optical illusion that Malik throws," said Altaf, who is also the Director of PCB's Cricket Operations.

Looking ahead to the tour, Mr. Altaf said the intensity of the cricketers involved was obviously high. "There is a lot of hype. But once the action begins, the hype does not matter. I am sure the series will be evenly fought. Despite the fierce rivalry, there is camaraderie between the two teams. Yes. The security arrangements are excellent."

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