Pakistan will go for the kill

NEW DELHI, September 24: Almost for a year and a half Pakistan cricket has been buried deep in controversy. Sample these. The Oval fiasco, Younis Khan refusing to captain the team, resignation of the PCB chief Shahryar Khan and appointment of Nasim Ashraf, involvement of fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar in a doping scandal, their ban and later their exoneration, Pakistan's humiliating exit from the World Cup in the West Indies and death of coach Bob Woolmer, exclusion of Imran Farhat, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Yousuf from the Twenty20 World Cup squad, the trio joining the Indian Cricket League and the retirement of Razzaq from international cricket.
Given these conditions it was hard to believe Pakistan would reach the final of the Twenty20 World Cup particularly the way they started after Akhtar's brawl with Asif and Shahid Afridi and the controversial bowler being sent home before the commencement of tournament. Most critics and experts had written their obituary much before the Super8 stage. Being hailed as the most unpredictable team in the world, Pakistan surprised everyone with their brilliant performances all the way up to the final. The Pakistan team showed discipline, determination and consistency that helped beat Australia and Sri Lanka who were in top form.
If it were not for their bowlers Pakistan's journey to the final would have been impossible. Akhtar surely must be cursing himself for shooting in the foot and tarnishing the image of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan have proved that they can score big victories even without big names much like India. Sohail Tanvir, the man who replaced Akhtar in the team, is a formidable challenge to most batsmen. Asif has generally been good with the new ball. He should be in the final too. Afridi, with his speedy leg-breaks and fast straight balls, has rarely allowed batsmen to unleash big shots against him. Umar Gul, who is prone to injury, has been exceptionally brilliant with his line and length. He was cardinal in Pakistan's victories against Australia in the Super-Eight and New Zealand in the semi-finals. And the bowlers have been backed up by some disciplined fielding.
So have been the batsmen. Pakistan's top order has been unimpressive but the middle-order has proved that they can lead from the front. Younis Khan, Misbahul Haq and skipper Shoaib Malik have been impressive. Openers Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez, who made little contributions in earlier matches dazzled against the Kiwis in the crunch game. They flogged the new ball gusto.
Geoff Lawson has been commendable as a new coach. He has been the pivot and more importantly an adhesive in bringing the team together. He has worked on the team's nerves. He has worked on the team's unpredictability and has put together a calm team from one of self-destruction. His and the team's body language have been supremely confident, be it to the media or on the field. Malik has proved a good influence on the youngsters. He has emerged as a selfless leader and that is what the youngsters enjoy and look up to.
The final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg will be the first major title clash between India and Pakistan since the limited-overs World Championship in Melbourne in 1985. Having beaten the much-fancied rivals, Pakistan and India will fight for the coveted trophy in a high voltage drama without their ageing superstars. Both teams have surprised pundits but more importantly have fuelled the sub-continent's cricketing frenzy and thrilled millions of cricketing fans recovering from the ignominious exit of their teams from the World Cup in the Caribbean barely six months ago.
Pakistan have never beaten India in any World Cup event. But that doesn't mean they cannot beat India today. Victory over India would make Malik the proud captain to beat traditional rivals on the world stage.
The odds are stacked in favour of India. But Pakistan will go for the kill. In a real test of nerves, Pakistan has always remained calm. Will India get caught in the Pakistan storm or pull it off in style?