Over the past few days, no seat has been available on the Pakistan International Airlines flight from Karachi to Colombo. Pakistan's crucial, last engagement in the strictly-no-surprises-group in the ICC World Cup against Australia slated on Saturday has attracted quite a few fans and officials from Pakistan.
Not all will get into the stadium to watch the encounter, the last group game for both teams and the last group game in Sri Lanka. The tickets were sold out long ago for the encounter. Now, the crowd will look skyward in prayer — there is rain forecast, and the paying public will hope that a repeat washout will not happen at the R. Premadasa on Poya Day.
The Pakistan team has been practising here over the past few days and are used to the conditions in Sri Lanka since they have played every game here. Australia came down for the ‘washed out' Sri Lanka encounter, went back to India, and again landed here late last night following a flight delay at Bangalore.
Clear-cut team strategy
Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has his choices very clearly lined out in front of him — another chance for Asad Shafiq, who grabbed his one and only opportunity against Zimbabwe. This would mean that finally, Ahmed Shehzad, who has had a torrid World Cup so far, will have to sit out.
Strangely, Saeed Ajmal, the best spinner in the Pakistan team, will have to miss out though the wicket takes a lot of spin. “If we give a chance to Saeed Ajmal, our batting might be weak. We have a good combination at the moment so we don't want to change,” he said.
Paceman Shoaib Akhtar does not have a confirmed place in the playing XI too. “I think Shoaib Akhtar took the right decision (on retirement). If we need him we will definitely give him a chance,” he said.
Afridi confirmed that Shoaib was dropped from the team for the Zimbabwe encounter after his performance against New Zealand. “Shoaib did not get picked as we know that he knows how to bowl with the old and new ball. I don't think so (that he is upset over being dropped); he never told that he is upset, he is enjoying himself,” he said.
The team was obviously not very happy that Shoaib announced his retirement in the middle of the tournament. “I think it's not a bad timing, he could have said it after the World Cup,” said Afridi.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting described Pakistan as “a dangerous side.” Australia's last loss in a World Cup game was against Pakistan, in 1999. It has not lost a Cup game since then.
For Ponting, the real tournament starts now. Asked about this, he said: “as a team we feel the tournament is kicking off now. We are really excited at playing against Pakistan, during the breaks we have trained really, really hard and well. I think we will get a better feel after tomorrow's game.”
He was aware of the obvious advantage that Pakistan held, having played all their games in Sri Lanka. “All their games have been around the country. It's a bit easy for them. We will be in the best mental and physical state when we play tomorrow,” he said.
The teams (from):
Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt.), Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, David Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krezja, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey and Cameron White.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt.), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz and Asad Shafiq.
Umpires: Tony Hill and Marais Erasmus. Third Umpire: Nigel Llong. Match Referee: Chris Broad.
