India - Australia: It'll be close (28 October 1998)

28 October 1998

India - Australia: It'll be close

by Zahid Newaz in Dhaka

A nail-biting thriller is expected when two former world champions Australia and India engage in a do-or-die battle Wednesday for a semi-final berth of the Wills International Cup.

This will be the first appearance for the Australian national team in Dhaka since the independence of Bangladesh. The only previous visit by an Australian team to the city was when Richie Benaud's side played a Test here in 1959.

Cricket fans are awaiting with baited breath for a keenly-contested match and to watch some of the world's best cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azaharuddin, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh in action.

Both teams had net practice at the Bangabandhu National Stadium under floodlights on Tuesday.

So far, India and Australia played 53 one-day matches with Australia winning 29 and India 21 while three matches ended in no-result.

India goes into the match at their lucky ground, where they clinched the 1988 Asia Cup and this year's Independence Cup. Indian captain Azharuddin is all set to make cricketing history as the first man to play 300 ODI matches when he will take to the field.

"Azzu", as the Indian captain is fondly called, is also 94 runs short of Desmond Haynes' world record of 8,648 runs.

Both the Indian and Australian captains are determined to snatch a win and both are depending on their strong batting line up.

While Azharuddin said they want to win the cup, hattrick trophy for his side in Bangladesh, with first win in the Wills Cup against Australia, Steve Waugh is confident to show the team's highest in their first appearence in Dhaka.

Australia is taking part in the tournament with morale high after a 1-0 test series win against Pakistan, and India with perhaps a little frustration after the one-off test defeat to underdog Zimbabwe.

Source :: CricInfo365

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