New-look Pak ooze confidence

Despite fasting for more than 12 hours because of Ramzan, the Pakistani cricketers had a lengthy work out here today. And while the Indians ...

Despite fasting for more than 12 hours because of Ramzan, the Pakistani cricketers had a lengthy work out here today. And while the Indians practiced at nets placed close to where the Pakistanis were, and most local journalists hounded India skipper Sourav Ganguly, the new-look Pakistanis stole as much of the thunder.

Commenting on the state of their team since Bob Woolmer took over, Pakistani players Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul Hasan Rana explained how they had turned over a new leaf. 8216;8216;My batting has changed. Earlier I had a shuffle, which affected my batting. Woolmer changed my footwork and it8217;s worked,8217;8217; Malik said.

Rana, on the other hand, said that Woolmer had taught him how to plan a batsman out, something the bowler didn8217;t do earlier: 8216;8216;He is a great motivator as well,8217;8217; Rana said.

Woolmer, however, is yet to arrive in India. He is expected tomorrow but the Indians are praying for Woolmer8217;s absence. 8216;8216;He Woolmer is the man who can change the course of the game from outside,8217;8217; a senior member of the Indian team said.

At the nets, the Pakistanis looked extremely sharp, a comment on the values Woolmer has instilled in this traditionally careless and laidback side. Shoaib Akhtar turned his arm over for a lively spell and so did Mohammed Sami. Haroon Rashid 8212; holding the reins of the side till Woolmer comes to take over 8212; said, 8216;8216;The entire team is raring to go and we want to maintain the sequence of wins that has started from the tournament at Amsterdam.8217;8217;

nbsp;	Focus on Ganguly

		nbsp;	8226; Indian captain Sourav Ganguly 8212; whose fitness has been subject to scrutiny of late 8212; participated in the physical drills, then bowled in the nets for half an hour today. However, he refused to comment on the fitness test, which was cancelled today. 8216;8216;I am comfortable with what I did today8217;8217;, was all he would say. His test will now be carried out on Friday morning after Andrew Leipus arrives.	nbsp;

But it8217;s not been all work for the visitors, many of who are coming to the city for the first time. They took time out to watch the digitally remastered and coloured Mughal-e-Azam in the evening. The choice of the movie, from a host of options offered to them, was because 8216;8216;it is of inspirational to them,8217;8217; a source disclosed.

The pitch 8212; topic of discussion wherever the Indians host a game these days 8212; has a tinge of grass on it, which would ordinarily help the visitors more than the hosts. Local knowledge suggested the pitch will have even bounce, but no one, not even the Pakistani players, were ready to make predictions. 8216;8216;It doesn8217;t matter whether there is dew in the evening or the wicket is slow or fast. We have to play well and beat India,8217;8217; Malik said.

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India for their part are looking to carry on from where they had left off against Australia. But will the Pakistanis, who appeared a more disciplined unit at practice today, allow them to do that?