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Journalism of Courage
SHARJAH, Dec 13: The battle of Sharjah is scheduled for Sunday. The event of the year for the expatriates, India versus Pakistan, will bring this edition of the Akai-Singer Champions Trophy cricket tournament to life in this desert kingdom.
Under lights, India, who hold a 5-3 record against Pakistan in recent times, will be tested to the full by a motivated green-shirted brigade that is proud of its record in Sharjah.
“No record, no past performance, nothing matters,” said skipper Sachin Tendulkar on the eve of the key encounter. “Psychological advantage will count, but by and large, the side that handles pressure better will win here,” he added. “I only hope no Pakistani cricketer gets going,” he said in a lighter vein.
An Indo-Pak match is the ultimate draw here and the expatiates are unmoved by any other tie. Last year, at an official function preceding the India versus South Africa final (won by the latter), there was a suggestion that the trophy be given to the South Africans and, instead of the final, another Indo-Pak match be arranged!
India and Pakistan, both have a lot to play for in Sunday’s match. Both lost their opening matches and are in a must-win situation. To boot, there is that added prestige of winning against the traditional enemy.
India, who lost by a whisker on Thursday, need to get their act together. Tendulkar and manager Anshuman Gaekwad have left the selection of the playing eleven to the morrow. The skipper admitted he was in a dilemma. On this flat track, he needed more bowlers, but if it came to a run-chase, he wanted greater depth in batting, he said. India’s bowlers and fielders will have their hands full against the free-flowing Pakistani batsmen,particularly as the wicket is decidedly batsman-friendly.
