Bubbling spirits behind a calm face

Not just their religion, the unique thing about Pakistan is their team unity and the clear-cut hierarchy with Inzamam at the top

The long tiring hop-over flight from Port of Spain has meant popping ears, groggy eyes and leaden feet for the entire Pakistan team that checked in here for the opening ceremony. Not overtly concerned about the body system gone wonky, Pakistan manager and former Test player Talat Aziz is keen to talk about his team8217;s bubbling spirits.

8220;To experience all that, one needs to do is to watch the team on field, and one comes to know if this is a happy bunch of men,8221; he says.

But as was evident at Port of Spain, it isn8217;t just about the watching them on field, even at the team hotel they come across as a unit at peace with itself.

An English journalist sharing the same floor as Inzamam-ul-Haq8217;s men talks about the serene sight he witnessed as he came out of his room one day.

8220;There they all were in there in their caps, down on their haunches praying collectively in the long lobby. They seem in a different world away from the hustle and bustle that one sees here,8221; he said, standing in the crowded reception area with bar where cricket tourists talked in excited tones while keeping a close eye on some passing known face.

But even the trained eye can blink in surprise when the Pakistan team emerges at the reception area to re-converge for the team meeting at the ground floor. Most dressed in the pathani suits, many sporting flowing beards and all with their praying caps still on; they stand out from the rest of the players who walks around in shorts, tracks or plain casual T-shirts and jeans.

Regardless of whether Inzamam is far behind, midway or right ahead, it8217;s easy spotting the leader of the Pakistan team when they move about in a group. That trademark Inzi regal walk 8212; more like an effortless float 8212; is self-explanatory about the hierarchy of the group. The close bonding within the decision makers too is evident from their week-long stay in Port of Spain.

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The bowling coach of the team and famous leggie Mushtaq Ahmed, who still is active on the county circuit, shares a close rapport with the skipper since the days they shared room as Pakistan teammates.

Inzamam and Mushtaq are almost inseparable as they mostly hang around together. The two members of the 1992 World Cup winning squad, along with coach Bob Woolmer, happen to be the main members of the Pakistan think-tank. But as Aziz tells you, hierarchy is left outside the door at team meetings. 8220;We have these meeting and the atmosphere there is quite relaxed. Anybody can contribute. Even the most junior member of the team can make any point. All these things help in building the team spirit,8221; he says.

This is what captain Inzamam too insisted on when he talked about how the main job of the captain was to give his players confidence. Voices in the dressing room or meetings have eventually translated into runs and wickets on the field. Mohammad Hafeez, the young all-rounder, has been a revelation in the warm-up games. His runs as an opener, his wickets as an off-spinner and athletic fielding have gone a long way in what Azis calls a 8220;perfectly balanced side8221;.

The only regret for Pakistan at this stage is the unavailability of Shahid Afridi for the first two games. 8220;He is a key member of the side and we play a very important match of a tough group first,8221; says Aziz.