da dobrowin： This will be Pakistan’s first ODI since July in a Test-less year; betweenthe Asia Cup in June-July and next week when they take on West Indies,Pakistan have only played four Twenty20 internationals
da premier bet： Cricinfo staff07-Nov-2008
Intikhab Alam: “He [Shoaib] is a genuine fast bowler and his run-up is important . But we will work on making sure he takes four minutes for an over” © AFP
Pakistan’s jaunt to Abu Dhabi for three ODIs against West Indies maynot be the most high-profile series in this year’s cricket calendar butfor the displaced home side, the contest has significance.This will be Pakistan’s first ODI since July in a Test-less year; betweenthe Asia Cup in June-July and next week when they take on West Indies,Pakistan have only played four Twenty20 internationals. They go to AbuDhabi with a brand new coach and management team and hoping for an upturnin cricketing fortunes.At a two-day practice camp in Karachi before they depart, the relief at aninternational assignment was apparent. “Any series is important,” saidcoach Intikhab Alam. “After this India is coming so this is a challenge for thenew management.”Ever the poster-boy for optimism, Intikhab wasn’t willing to dwellunnecessarily on the lack of international cricket for Pakistan in 2008.”I don’t believe in making excuses that we haven’t played that often. Okay,we haven’t played but we can’t look at that negatively and use it as anexcuse. This is an important series because when you win and settle downon a combination confidence is built and winning can become a habit.”Pakistan trained energetically, mostly under the guidance of Aaqib Javed,the new assistant coach, whose role may well become more significant overtime. Intikhab and the new manager Yawar Saeed held a long meeting withthe team in the morning, a start of sorts to lay a new agenda.”We had a very open meeting today with the team,” said Intikhab. “Wetalked mostly about discipline and how there will be no compromise onthat. We also talked about how our aim should be to move up [in therankings] from six to two or one.”The entire squad has at least benefited from playing in the ongoingPentangular Cup and as Shoaib Malik, the captain, pointed out later, mosthave been in good form. Pakistan’s squad has five fast bowlers and they,more than others, have felt the benefits.Umar Gul is fit again and Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar come in with agood number of overs behind them. Above all, Shoaib Akhtar is approachingfull match fitness and the management was impressed by his performances inthe Pentangular. David Dwyer, the team trainer, is also working closelywith Shoaib, who has played little cricket this year, to have him readyand primed for the India series early next year. And unlike a couple ofother coaches, Intikhab has no plans to ask him to reduce his run-up.”I watched Shoaib Akhtar in the Pentangular in Islamabad and he was verygood,” said Intikhab. “I had a long chat him as well and he is on board.All coaches have their own thinking on his run-up. He is a genuine fastbowler and his run-up is important. If you shorten it, it might affect hisbowling. But we will work on making sure he takes four minutes for anover.”We have other really good bowlers as well and I’m hoping Mohammad Asifcan come back soon as well because he is a match-winner.”Another big winner this week, revealed Intikhab, was used as an unusualsource of inspiration in his first proper team meeting. “I asked the teamin the meeting today what the miracle of the century was. One said it isBarack Obama getting into the White House. An African-American in the WhiteHouse, imagine? And he did it with focus and discipline. That provesanything is possible and Pakistan should take inspiration from that.”
