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This is an archive article published on March 28, 2004

Meet the opposition

As they did during their tour of New Zealand, Pakistan are expected to play five batsmen, a keeper, an all-rounder and four bowlers. Here1...

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As they did during their tour of New Zealand, Pakistan are expected to play five batsmen, a keeper, an all-rounder and four bowlers. Here8217;s how it should shape up

SOFT AT THE TOP

Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed, with a combined experience of 34 Tests may be low-profile but they aren8217;t wet behind the ears. Batting averages of 32, 46 and 53 mean that Pakistan8217;s 1, 2 and 3 can safely be put under the 8216;potential stars8217; category. But Taufeeq and Farhat finished the Kiwi tour earlier this year without putting up a single 50-run opening stand. Their batting styles are Diet-Sehwag. Not exactly the Real McKoy but neither the stone-walling Chopra sort

WEIGHT IN THE MIDDLE

The Big Daddys: Yusuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul Haq, Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan. Not as weighty as India8217;s, of course, but more street-smart. Hameed at No 3 and Razzaq six can8217;t match their Indian counterparts Dravid and Yuvraj. Youhana is likely to play the Dravid role while Inzi can be either Sachin or Laxman or Nehra, depending on his mood. Moin at No.7 balances the scales: in the last Test series against New Zealand Moin was the lone Pakistani centurion.

EQUAL TURN

If Anil Kumble8217;s Perfect 10 proved a thing for the Pakistan, Saqlain too has shown his liking for Indian batsmen. The second spinners in the side too are on par, if only in their inexperience. Kaneria and Kartik/Powar haven8217;t been part of any Indo-Pak duel

THE PAK PACE MUSCLE

Advantage Pak. Shoaib and Sami can turn a match upside down in the blink of an eye. Shabbir has the pace and bounce which could trouble the Indians and Razzaq is what India will miss in Ganguly. The only problem could be the heat, which could sap energy and turn pace into peace

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

 

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