Dhoni’s men take it easy; Misbah and co out to prove a point
Birmingham: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reckons on Saturday’s Champions Trophy contest against India here will be “one last chance to prove ourselves” in front of the world.
The last group B match between the arch-rivals is technically a dead rubber, but Misbah said his team “will play for the fans”.
“It’s a final for us. A win against the world champions will be a great compensation. At least, the fans will be happy,” Misbah said after Pakistan trained today morning under overcast conditions and a light drizzle.
The Pakistan captain refused to take the match against India as just another game.
“For us, it’s a big opportunity. Everywhere in the world the fans look forward to this game and I would like India and Pakistan to play more often for the sake of the audience. It’s the biggest rivalry in cricket,” Misbah told reporters.
Misbah said there was no pressure on the team and the boys were in a relaxed frame of mind.
“We know we are out of the tournament, but I have told the boys to look at every game as their last chance to prove themselves. We will express ourselves well tomorrow,” Misbah promised.
He said his team will remember the 2-1 ODI win in India this winter. “The teams are almost the same and our bowlers have the experience and belief to challenge Indian batsmen,” Misbah said.
India’s batting is on a high, admitted the affable Pakistan skipper. “When you score 300 runs consistently and win your opening two games of a short tournament quite easily, a team is bound to look good, but tomorrow, we will give them a good fight,” Misbah said.
Pakistan have never lost to India in six editions of this championship. They have beaten India twice in the Champions Trophy, the first time at Edgbaston in September, 2004. But Misbah said history won’t matter.
“Every game is a fresh game. The team that will take the conditions in stride, handle the fan pressure and play well shall be the clear winner,” Misbah explained.
Misbah pointed out Pakistan’s bowling will be their biggest strength going into the match.
“Our top order has failed and we have been unable to build partnerships. We have always felt the pressure while batting but we can surely redeem ourselves against India this time,” the captain said.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday termed their face-off with arch-rivals Pakistan an “important” game but said that his team would not take any added pressure.
“I think it’s an important match. To have a look at it is very important. Doesn’t matter which side you are really playing, because the reason is all international sides are good enough, so no real point taking any added pressure,” Dhoni said on the eve of the match.
“So anything you can avoid as a team, especially the fact we’re talking about pressure, we should look to do that,” he added.
While admitting all India-Pakistan matches were big games, Dhoni said it would be suicidal to take extra pressure.
“All international sides are good and packed with good fast bowlers. Pakistan also have good spinners in (Saeed) Ajmal and (Mohammed) Hafeez. We will not change our approach,” he said.
Dhoni also showed off India’s batting muscle ahead of the eagerly-awaited match, saying they “don’t need 100-plus opening stands” every time.
“We don’t need 100-plus opening stands every time we go out to bat,” he said.
“Well, I think we are a side that relies quite a bit on a good start. It doesn’t really mean that we always need hundred and partnership. We need some time, the openers need to spend some time in the middle, and that really comes from the dressing room.
“That has been the case whenever we have got off to a good start; more often than not we have been able to capitalise on that fact,” he added.
India have been getting flying starts by their openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in their first two matches.
The Indian captain said there was “no special strategy” against Pakistan although the match is inconsequential from a tournament perspective. India were the first team to enter the semifinals while Pakistan are out of the tournament after two defeats.
With rain clouds hovering over Edgbaston, the Indians were forced to train indoors at the Edgbaston Cricket Centre today afternoon. The toss could be a factor in tomorrow’s clash, feels Dhoni.
When reminded that Pakistan were treating the match “as a final”, Dhoni replied: “Well, there are two ways to look at it. If their thinking is that they have nothing really to lose, let’s go out, be expressive on the field, don’t bother about the result, then they can be dangerous.
“But if the thinking is they are not qualified, this is a game against India, let’s win this game so we have it as a consolation prize, they’ll be in big trouble. So it depends entirely on what Pakistan are thinking.” (PTI)