Akram practices defeat8217;

Seven hours later, when he skied Venkatesh Prasad to Anil Kumble at deep mid-wicket giving India a 47-run victory, the Pakistani all-rounder, one of the greats of the game, knew that he had been made to eat humble pie, if not his words.

As fire crackers went off in several towns and cities of India at midnight to celebrate a famous win, a contrite Akram admitted that his team8217;s place in the semi-finals of the tournament was now threatened.

8220;I think we made things difficult for ourselves,8221; he confessed and said his team had lost three matches in a row.

8220;I am happy for Azhar and the Indian team. They really played well. In the end the better team won,8221; Akram conceded.

When he said a 8220;practice match8221;, Akram had obviously not reckoned that within minutes he would be up against a determined Indian team.

It was not Akram8217;s day. Regarded as one of the most aggressive and competent captains in the world today, Akram was outshone and out-marshalled by the much-pilloried Mohammad Azharuddin. Not everyone8217;s idea of an inspiring captain.

Wasim Akram was left to regret his words.

8220;Yes, it was a practice match for Pakistan, Wasim Akram was practising defeat,8221; said a disgusted Pakistan fan.