Javed rues lower middle-order batsmen (31 January 1999)

31 January 1999

Javed rues lower middle-order batsmen

By Our Special Representative

CHENNAI, Jan 30: Pakistan coach Javed Miandad admitted on Saturday that his team threw away an opportunity to take a lead of over 350.

"We were very happy at 266 for four at tea. Everyone was confident that we would manage to set India a target of 350. But that didn't happen and I think the blame lies on the lower middle-order," admitted Miandad, who was member of the team which beat India in India 12 years ago. "Had we taken a lead of 350, we could have attacked. But now we are in a tight situation because we have to stop the runs and also take wickets," he said.

But he was optimistic that Pakistan would win the Test. "The boys are sensing victory and they will fight till the last. "The wear and tear of the wicket continues and I don't think it is going to be easy for the Indians to score runs against Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi," he said, adding: "I personally feel that Saqlain would be the key. He bowled splendidly in the first innings but his job is not over yet and he knows that."

Miandad dismissed impressions that Sachin Tendulkar was the man they were looking to get early. "Not only him, we want to get everyone out before the match gets down to the wire.

"Sachin is definitely a champion batsman but Rahul Darvid, Azharuddin and Saurav Ganguly are equally good batsmen. The Indians have a pretty long batting line-up but our bowling is capable of dismissing any batting line-up."

Miandad was full of praise for Shahid Afridi. "He did everything right but finally played a shot which he had avoided throughout his innings. But the way he played, it was simple superb. It needed a lot of guts to score a century on his first appearance on Indian soil. But he has shown that he can become a destructive opener."

Shahid Afridi, a shy 18-year-old boy, dedicated his first Test century to his family. "They (family) deserve to get the praise because if they had not supported me, I would have perhaps been sitting in my automobile showroom. "Special thanks to Javed bhai, Salim Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq who kept tutoring me in the centre."

Afridi said he was particular happy that he would now not be labelled as a one-day specialist. "It hurt when I was considered as a one-day player. But I think this is just a start and I have a long way to go. I have seen many players flying in the sky and then parachuting down to earth. I don't want to be one of them."

The pinch-hitter observed that the wicket was not conducive to stroke-play. "One had to be very selective. But I never decided to stop my shots. I tried and things kept going my way. But I still feel sorry the way I got out. Probably rush of blood and inexperience took a toll on me."

Source :: Dawn (http://dawn.com/)

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