Time to wake-up, Shoaib

India will also be without Zaheer Khan, which in normal circumstances would have been a severe blow, but Ashish Nehra has rejoined the team and there is the option of Ajit Agarkar who will add to an already formidable batting line-up.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have their work cut-out. They know, or ought to know, that they will have to do something extraordinary to come back in the series. There was an injury scare about Shoaib Akhtar who missed a day8217;s practice complaining of some knee-problem. But one never knows with Shoaib Akhtar. He believes that stardom permits him to have tantrums but he should also know that his stardom is on the line. His middle name has been 8216;match-winner8217; and the cricket public would like him to live up to the name and start winning some matches. Moin Khan looks a doubtful starter because of groin problems and his place is likely to be taken by Kamran Akmal who has been an understudy wicket-keeper and has played a couple of Test matches and his handy with the bat.

Saqlain Mushtaq is not even in the squad. He alone has felt the wrath of the selectors. He is entitled to say that it was off his bowling that Virender Sehwag was dropped when was on 64. Nor were his duties properly defined. Was he supposed to do the job of containment or take wickets? In the end, he did neither and further blotted his copy-book by playing a wholly absurd shot which was a caricature of the pull shot if indeed he was playing that shot. His place will go to Danish Kaneria, a leg-spinner of, as yet, unfulfilled promise. One never knows, it may be his chance of a lifetime. Imran Nazir has been included in the squad but his inclusion is a sort of notice to the regular openers that they should not take their place in the team for granted.

What sort of wicket should we expect? There are reports that it will have some grass. It should help Pakistan8217;s fast bowlers, but by the same token, it will help India8217;s seamers and the sooner we end this gamesmanship the better. We need a straightforward Test match wicket that will reward both bowlers and batsmen if they are making the effort. In other words, there is no such thing as a free lunch. It has to be earned.

A Lahore Test match has always been a special one. Initial reports indicate that there has been no rush at the box-office but I am sure that we will get a good crowd, which may not be good news for the Pakistan team. A performance like the one at Multan will be hooted down. The Lahore crowd never gets unruly but it is articulate and can get critical and the barbs can be sharp.

It used to be said that the ultimate Test of a player8217;s temperament was proved by how he handled a Lahore crowd. People brought their transistors to the ground when radio cricket commentary was king. I would sometimes be the butt of their somewhat unkind jokes if they felt that I was being unfaithful to the true state of affairs of the game and letting Pakistan off the hook. It will be hot, spring having been left behind and summer has set in. The weather will not be unlike what it would be in New Delhi.