The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Discipline optimised our potential: Shaharyar Khan

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Monday, Jan 09, 2006

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Discipline optimised our potential: Shaharyar Khan

Special Correspondent

Lahore: The PCB chief Mr. Shaharyar Khan, who watched the proceedings at the Bagh-e-Jinnah ground here on Sunday, said the victory at home over a powerful England has left him pleased.

"Our team spirit and discipline have optimised our potential. And the fact that we have a captain (Inzamam-ul-Haq) who is such a wonderful man, such a great cricketer, and such a great leader, you don't have to be upfront all the time to be a great leader, has helped immensely. Inzamam and Bob Woolmer (coach) have done a tremendous job."

Shaharyar Khan played his part in disciplining Shoaib Akhtar, in getting the wayward fast bowler to shift his focus back to cricket. "I give a lot of credit to people around Shoaib, Woolmer, Inzy and his team-mates. But ultimately, it is Shoaib who has changed himself. He is a complete teamman now, fires on all cylinders. It is very good for us but bad news for India (laughs)."

Probe him about the factor that could prove decisive in the forthcoming three Test series, and he responds, "Always remember that bowlers win matches. You got wonderful batsmen. But if we can find a chink in the armour, then that will be the decisive factor in my opinion."

He expects the series between "the two evenly matched sides" to be exciting and well attended, but is a touch worried about `fog and fading light' during this part of the year in Punjab, where the first two Tests (in Lahore and Faisalabad) will be held. The PCB chief believes, "In terms of building bridges between the people of the two countries, the series will be another step in the right direction. Now the public is showing great maturity, taking victories and defeats in its stride. Previously, it was like a pitched battle. Now it is a game."

Shaharyar Khan dwells on the long-standing friendship between the Indian and the Pakistani players, and the warmth in the dressing rooms.

"Like against England, we have maximum security measures. But somehow, the atmosphere is more relaxed."

Exceptional ambassadors

The fact that Inzamam and Rahul Dravid, two exceptional ambassadors of the game, will be leading the sides, should contribute to the two sides conducting themselves well on and off the field, he feels. "That will help tremendously. What transpires on the field, goes into the crowd. And from the crowd it goes to the television and the public."

In order to avoid an overkill of the India-Pakistan cricket, Shaharyar Khan says the two Boards have reached an understanding to have the series once every two years. "We are playing each other too much now. We don't want the edge to go out."

He is confident that a charity match to raise funds for the earthquake victims of the two countries will be held during the current tour. "It is now just a question of working out the date once Mr. Sharad Pawar (BCCI President) arrives here next week."

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