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Tight but right

The double-header at the Gabba was the best start to the millennium that the Pakistan team could have hoped for. During our meeting on the eve of the series, we had promised ourselves that we would fight to the finish and give our best till the last ball of the match. After such close encounters as the one we had against India, I always feel for the losing side, after all, it could so easily have gone the other way.

Full marks should be given to the Indian team for the way they fought so very hard despite having a modest total to defend. Looking into the opposition dressing room I feel that they are missing two of their best batsmen - Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja - who can walk into any team with their kind of talent and experience. What's more, they also contribute on the field, because they are still the best fielders in the Indian side. In their absence, the team was back to square one, depending entirely on captain Sachin to carry them to a decent total. However, as I said earlier, they did defend a very modest total and almost pulled off a marvellous win.

Coming back to Pakistan's performance, the victory against Australia was the right tonic for us to get over a 3-0 whitewash. In both matches, our top batsmen failed to deliver. However, it is only a matter of time before they find their bearings. Incidentally, in both matches, it was the rearguard action, led by the likes of Saqlain and Waqar, that saw us through. Saqlain always had the makings of a reliable lower order batsman. His stint with Surrey, however, had a negative impact on his batting because they used to send him in at Number 11. In the Pakistan team, he is back to 8 or 9, and has responded wonderfully.

Waqar, too, has made a remarkable comeback. His six off McGrath and the hand he played against India were a bonus. He has also succeeded in putting the controversies that surrounded him behind him. I'm glad that he has realised that he plays for Pakistan and not my personal team.

Speaking of controversies, Shoaib Akhtar has made a remarkable beginning to the series that he was not supposed to have played at all. He is a talented cricketer and a charismatic figure and the crowds love him wherever he goes. Being a fairly successful fast bowler myself, I think I am qualified enough to guarantee that there is nothing illegal in his action. Moreover, Shoaib has played cricket in India, England, Pakistan and South Africa. It is interesting that umpires and administrators call bowlers for chucking only when they start playing Down Under. The controversy that ensues invariably upsets the visiting team, often leading them to perform below potential. Fortunately, Shoaib seems determined to remain unaffected by all the events of the last fortnight. I have tried to do my bit by letting him know that his captain and the entire Pakistan cricketing fraternity are behind him.

You can't blame me for sounding upbeat at this stage. However, there are six matches to go and we have to improve our batting performance. I am sure that our batsmen will come good sooner or later. After all, they are the best we have in Pakistan. Having said that, we are not taking the opposition lightly since both India and Australia are teams which are capable of bouncing back.

(Gameplan)

Wasim Akram