Nothing official about it

HYDERABAD, June 11: In spite of several hiccups, the three-nation Siyaram's Cup gets under way at the Lal Bahadur Stadium, here, tomorrow w...

HYDERABAD, June 11: In spite of several hiccups, the three-nation Siyaram8217;s Cup gets under way at the Lal Bahadur Stadium, here, tomorrow with an Indian XI taking on a New Zealand XI in the opening match.

The participation of a Pakistan XI has given the invitation tournament the required pep. This is an unofficial tournament 8212; serving as benefit matches for three former Hyderabad cricketers, Ghulam Ahmed, S R Mehta and Eddie Aibara.

The captains of the three sides insisted today that they will play the games in all seriousness.

With a 25,000 winner8217;s cheque on offer, there is much to be serious about.The Indo-Pak match is scheduled for Saturday. Pakistan have arrived without off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and batsman Ijaz Ahmed. Pakistan captain Rameez Raja said his team will make do with 12 players.

Raja is taking his role as peace-maker rather seriously. 8220;I am happy that I have been able to contribute something to the cordial atmosphere. I think the two countries should play each other so often that any tension would be dissipated. I would also appreciate if India too travelled to Pakistan for a similar cause.8221;

Of the three teams, only India could be at full strength. Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharudddin, dropped for the Independence Cup, will be back for this series. So also the local boy Venkatapathy Raju who will take the place of Sunil Joshi.

Sachin Tendulkar, too, felt that any India-Pakistan match could bring the excitement. 8220;We always play cricket seriously and we have come here to keep the Cup in India,8221; said Tendulkar.

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About the match against Pakistan, Tendulkar said: 8220;once you come to the ground, it doesn8217;t matter whether the match is official or unofficial.8221;Tendulkar agreed that they are mentally much more relaxed for this tournament.

For New Zealand, there has been a welcome change in the weather since the roasting they had here last month.

Captain Stephen Fleming said that with big prize money at stake the teams were bound to be keen to win. 8220;We have come to enjoy and play the game.8221;He said it would be the ideal opportunity for youngsters to show their talent and the older players get into form. Four of the players who figured in the Independence Cup Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Heath Davis and Chris Harris have not come. But the hard-hitting Mark Greatbatch and all-rounder Shane Thompson are here. The first three matches will be day matches while the final June 16 will be a day/night affair.