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Clash of the titans

A titanic clash is in store at Trent Bridge on Saturday, June 5, when fancied title hunters South Africa and Pakistan cross swords in their first Super Six league tie in the World Cup.

Touted as a dress rehearsal for the final at Lord's, the match is being keenly looked forward to, as South Africa goes in with a disadvantage of only two points from the preliminary league as against four of Pakistan.

The two teams, which were expected to emerge unscathed from the first phase, nosedived against relatively weak teams in their last group matches, the 1992 champions, Pakistan, being humbled by 'brother' Bangladesh, and South Africa losing two valuable points against continental cousin Zimbabwe, who edged out hosts England and took the spot in the elite group.

South Africa start with a slight advantage because of the form of their all rounders Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis. The athletic Klusener, who made giant strides in the league matches to emerge as the genuine allrounder of the championship thus far, has scored 164 runs in four innings, without being dismissed even once. he remains the second highest wicket taker in the championship with 13 scalps.

Pollock hit a rearguard 52 against Zimbabwe and has tormented batsmen with his sizzling bowling. Kallis, who completes the South African powerhouse line-up of specialist allrounders, has shown brilliance in cricketing character by getting 96 against India, and claimed three Sri Lankan wickets.

Another major advantage for South Africa is the depth in its batting that rattles up the opposition. Even if the top order fails, the middle order and tail wag merrily to ensure the team attains the target.

Pakistan, perhaps, is the only other team which shares the spotlight for all rounders. They have similar depth of multifaceted talent, led by skipper Wasim Akram. The 33-year-old, who triggers enthusiasm among teammates, may not be as fast as he was, but his swashbuckling knocks of 43 in 28 balls, against the West Indies, and 37 of 43 from 19, against Scotland, speaks of his immense potential.

As the only player to capture more than 350 Test and one-day victims, Akram has been in devastating form with his lethal seamers and reverse swing, and even though both Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mehmood have chipped in with consistent and useful all-round contributions, the Pakistan captain is very disappointed with the kick start of the team.

Left-handed Saeed Anwar is going through a lean patch, with a high of 28 in five innings. His partner Shahid Afridi has flopped even more miserably. Though Ijaz Ahmed may have scored a fifty, he is looking far from his usual. It has only been Inzamam-ul-Haq with two breezy back to back knocks, and the gutsy Moin Khan that set Pakistan on the victory path in the group matches.

Hansie Cronje similarly would be as disturbed by the inconsistent starts his openers have given the team. Barring India, no team has had bright starts to their innings as the pacemen have created havoc and ruled supreme.

He will also be hoping that wicketkeeper Mark Boucher will regain his pinch-hitting ways, and he and Jonty Rhodes come good in the middle order.

The two sides are very much balanced in bowling, with five specialists each. But the South Africans score over their rivals in fielding. This could well be the line of distinction in the clash of the two favourites.

UNI