Pakistan confident of green revelation

Pakistan confident of green revelation
ASHISH SHUKLA

MELBOURNE, FEBRUARY 1: Gutsy but unpredictable Pakistan were on Tuesday rated as a better team than World Cup winning Imran Khan's side. They immediately unveiled their plans of exacting revenge for the 1999 World Cup final loss to Australia when the two teams meet in the first of the best-of-three finals here on Wednesday.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam rated his current team as superior to the Imran Khan-led squad of 1992 World Cup saying, ``We are primed to win the triangular series.''

Pakistan won the World Cup at this same ground eight years ago beating England.

``We will never forget that night we won the World Cup here, but I think this is a better side than the one in 1992, better in bowling. I think,'' the former Pakistan captain said after his team's strenuous workout here.

``The way these boys have started batting, the way they have played... they have the potential to be a really good team,'' he added.

With all Aussie players proving their worth, the home team is not really worried aboutthe finals as it has been dominating Pakistan.

Australia has been in splendid form ever since it spanked Pakistan 3-0 in the Test-series -- the Brisbane One-dayer loss was just an abberation.

The Kangaroos -- winners of 20 matches out of 22 they have played since last year' World Cup -- have a variety of talent to choose from and all players are in fine form.

One of the all-rounders -- Andrew Symonds and Shane Lee -- may have to sit out if Australia goes in for the three-pronged pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Damien Fleming and Brett Lee.

Steve Waugh will have to juggle around to find places for both the all-rounders as they have done extremely well and then it would be Fleming or Brett Lee who may have to be content with carrying water bottles on to the ground.

It would be unwise to exclude Shane Lee, who is averaging 31 with the bat and taken more wickets -- 16 -- than anyone else in the series.

Waugh said he thrives on such situations. ``It's a dream to have so many in-form people to choosefrom.''

The tourists have been boosted by the return of in-form all-rounder Abdur Razzaq, who missed the game against India at Perth last Friday due to a thigh injury.

He will replace either Azhar Mahmood or Waqar Younis, while off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq regains his allotted spot displacing his understudy Shoaib Malik.

The second final will be played at SCG on Friday, and the third, if necessary, at the same venue on Sunday.

Given the superiority of the Australians in staying cool in crunch situations, they would be a hard nut to crack for Pakistan and coach Intikhab Alam accepts it.

``They have very high all-round ability, their attitude and discipline are of extremely high standards,'' Intikhab said praising Australia as worthy World Cup holders.

The final make up of both teams, Australia in particular, will depend upon the wicket that curator Tony Ware has prepared at the MCG.

The Australians will be mindful that the last time they were on such a roll, they lost the final of the triangulartournament in Sri Lanka against the flow.

``What we have done in the last seven games counts for nothing if we lose the next two,'' said Waugh.

``Each game is important to us and we have done better than Pakistan over the last year, so I am not worried,'' said Waugh. (PTI)

Teams

Australia (from): Steve Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Shane Lee, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds

Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Abdur Razzaq, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Azhar Mahmood, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar