The Hindu : Sport : ‘The team that handles the pressure and tension better will win’

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Friday, Nov 02, 2007
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Sport

‘The team that handles the pressure and tension better will win’

Special Correspondent

Pakistan team arrives for five ODIs and three-Test series

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

HEARTY WELCOME: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik being greeted at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Being an Aussie, Geoff Lawson certainly knows a thing or two about aggression. More so since he played for his country as a fast bowler. But today, as Pakistan coach, Lawson has learnt to play with words, too.

Quiz him on India’s newly discovered on-field “aggression” and Lawson has this to say, “In the series against South Africa, we played some very hard, tough, non-compromising cricket but not one bad word was said. We played cricket as it should be played. I hope India and Pakistan play this series in the same manner. They are tough opponents and I wish they enjoy playing against each other.”

Lawson, along with Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik, addressed mediapersons hours after the team’s arrival here. There was customary chaos at the airport once the team arrived but barring a large number of newspersons, there was not much crowd to welcome the visitors.

Once in the hotel, Lawson and Malik looked relaxed as they took questions from the waiting newspersons. Lawson did most of the talking while Malik was content with being repetitive.

No favourite

Lawson said that there was no favourite in the series. The Aussie who chose to describe the series between India and Pakistan as “bigger than the Ashes” said, “It’s a national rivalry that takes place in the cricket field. The team that handles the situations well, handles the pressure and tension better, will win.”

He also agreed that Pakistan was searching for a settled opening pair and made it clear that Shahid Afridi was no longer an option at the top of the order.

Adequate bowling

In the bowling department, Lawson said the services of paceman Mohammad Asif (ruled out for the first three ODIs due to an elbow injury) would be felt. “No doubt, Asif is a player of quality. But with Shoaib (Akhtar) back and Sohail Tanvir looking as the player of the future, I think we still have a good attack,” he said.

On Shoaib Akhtar, Lawson said, “it is important he plays well. With his new hairstyle, he looks quiet and sensible.”

Malik found playing India “always exciting.” He said, “the Twenty20 final is history and we are concentrating on the job at hand. In the sub-continent any pitch is worth 300 for the team batting first. You need to be patient. Home team of course has an advantage.”

Special mention

He showed respect for the Indian batting line-up and chose Yuvraj Singh for special mention.

“His batting form has been awesome at the moment and he looks the biggest threat. It is good for us that Rahul Dravid is not playing the first two games.”

Among the Indian bowlers, Malik picked R. P. Singh as the man to watch. “He looks extraordinary with his line and length.”

On the frequency with which India and Pakistan play each other, Malik said, “we players love it because we benefit. More the merrier.”

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