Pakistan - New Zealand semifinal today (16 June 1999)

16 June 1999

Pakistan - New Zealand semifinal today

Nizamuddin Ahmed

Old Trafford, June 15:Pakistan appeared bubbling with confidence and New Zealand were under no pressure as the two teams braced themselves for tomorrow's semi-final here. Famous Test venue, Old Trafford was also being mowed and rolled for tomorrow's big day; the television crew putting everything in place.

Both teams underwent strenuous practice sessions today. New Zealand slogged for a few hours in the morning and Pakistan from 11 onwards for almost the same time. If they looked a touch tense, it only went to show their total awareness of this being the first knockout match of the 1999 World Cup. Lose and you are out; win and the Lord's would be waiting.

While talking to the press after the nets, captains Wasim Akram and Stephen

Fleming were cautious in appraising the strengths of each other. If they knew of any weaknesses of the opponents, they guarded the knowledge well.

While Wasim was talking in front of the pavilion on the Western side of the ground, injured Yousuf Youhana was struggling through a fitness test at the opposite end of the green. The Pakistani batsman sustained a hamstring injury and had been ruled out by coach Mushtaq Mohammad the day before.

Youhana batted at the nets today but, as Wasim said, "the team would be announced after seeing the wicket tomorrow morning."

One could also not help noticing assistant coach Pybus's active role in shaping the Pakistanis for tomorrow.

Fleming was frank in admitting that 'the team under the least amount of pressure can play better' and added, 'pressure is the key' for tomorrow's match. He said they would enjoy the fact that, of the four semi-finalists, they were the team under minimum pressure.

"Whatever happens, we have achieved; probably beaten the expectations of a lot of people. We would love to get through. We know it's going to be hard work," he said.

Commenting on whether he would like to play a Steve Waugh type of innings, he said, 'That would be great!'

He admitted it would be wonderful to come to form at the crunch time and win a match by one performance. 'We have players in the side who could do that. As skipper you would like to do it yourself," he said. In jest he continued, "But I would like an opportunity to do it in the final."

Pakistan lost to a weak Bangladesh team, whom New Zealand beat easily at Chelmsford. Does that mean anything? "Not really, they have qualified. They had a turn-off for a while. Probably they were tuned up a little too much and they can turn it up pretty well," was Fleming's response with respect for the opposition.

The defeat against Pakistan in the group match would not haunt New Zealand and Fleming considered it as 'irrelevant'. 'That's the good thing. They know they should win. That creates a situation where they will probably be a little more nervous. They play well on a set day, but what if they don't play well tomorrow? There will be a lot of people disappointed. It's a negative way of looking at it. But, sometimes in big games you have to look at the negatives and they can play a big game," said Fleming with a twinkle in his eyes.

The people in New Zealand, according to Fleming, would not be disappointed if they lose tomorrow. "Because we have exceeded their expectations," he said with a laugh.

"It's a no-lose situation. Obviously they would love for us to win. But as far as public pressure goes we have gone over what we needed to achieve, whereas Pakistan still needed two more wins."

The New Zealand skipper did not consider it as a failure that, despite featuring in the 1975, 1979 and the 1992 semi-finals, they were yet to play in a World Cup final. "We are proud of that record. It's an achievement for a small country. Now we have the opportunity to reach the final," he said candidly.

"Pakistan beat us in 1992. Inzamam beat us. It would be nice to turn the tables and reach the final," he said.

Assessing the confident Pakistanis, Fleming said, "You can't give them the initiative when they have the advantage of playing a very natural game. They have got a great bowling attack. They have a confidence about them and belief, which you have to try and break down."

In refuting 'nerves in the ranks', Fleming was unequivocal in saying that New Zealand has 'everything to gain and nothing to lose' from this match.

"It was a nice way to go into the semi-final," said the stylish left-handed batsman.

Without as much as elaborating his game plan against 'obviously a very good side', Fleming said, "We have a belief. Confidence comes from doing the small things right. We are really looking forward to the challenge."

Fleming must depend heavily on the reputation of Chris Harris, Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns, who were named Monday as the world's best all-rounders by Pricewaterhouse-Coppers after four South Africans - Lance Klusener, Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Hansie Cronje in that order.

"None of the three New Zealanders have done really well and you have the gut feeling that tomorrow could be their day; they can't afford to wait any longer."

It did not matter to Wasim that Pakistan were being billed as favourites even by the New Zealanders.

"It does not matter who are the favourites tomorrow; it depends on who plays better tomorrow. We are not going to take New Zealand easily. They have a good side. They have shown in this tournament that they can beat any side in the world. We will be ready to go tomorrow more cautiously," said the Pakistan captain after their nets.

Speaking about the form of his bowlers, Wasim said, "Form is fine. They have been bowling well. They are getting wickets. I am really satisfied with their performance in the World Cup."

Wasim said it was the dream of every player to play the World Cup and "It would be a great honour to be at Lord's for the World Cup final."

The onus of success was neither on the batsmen, nor on the bowlers. Wasim attributed his team's success to 'team effort' but did not forget to acknowledge the effective contribution of Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar in the tournament.

"It was team effort over the last six months. I think it will again be team effort tomorrow. Obviously one or two batsmen or bowlers will do better than the others, but again it has to be team effort," said the lethal Pakistani bowler.

He was also forthright in naming 'match-winners' in Chris Cairns, Robert Twose, Craig McMillan and Fleming as the players to watch. "New Zealand has a good fielding side," he said.

About the Old Trafford wicket, Wasim said, "Any wicket looks good for a one-day. Against India, it was one of the best one-day wickets we had here. It looks again dry and good. It will suit us more than the opposition."

While Pakistan will be hoping that Inzamamul Haq will repeat his 1992 semi-final exploits (60 off 35 balls) and his unbeaten 73 in the group match against New Zealand, his captain was happy that he was not involved in any run-outs in recent matches.

Admitting that indeed 'this was like playing on home ground' and 'there was no difference between playing at Lahore and Old Trafford," the Pak skipper's wide smile gave away his pleasure at being a Lancashire lad for long.

Fleming agreed the crowd could be noisy tomorrow but said he would rely on the neutral supporters of the game.

Today is the warmest day of this World Cup. The sun has been beating brightly on the wicket since morning. The captains agreed that the wicket has dried for cricket to be different. Forecast is also good for tomorrow. But, like the game, the sky in England is equally unpredictable. Only New Zealand can benefit from an upset in either.

Source :: The Daily Star