Warm-up? Pakistan plan to make it hot

And so tomorrow’s tour warm-up game — India against Pakistan A — is less a formality extended to visitors and more a way of giving them a taste of things to come. ‘‘It’s important not to let Dravid and his team enjoy a perfect start’’, Inzamam-ul Haq said, and his juniors will be trying just that.

The Pakistanis have been on a high after defeating England at home and feel that the Indians could be vulnerable to intense pressure, especially when accompanied by some fast bowling.

To that end, the Pak A team includes fast bowler Umar Gul, a highly-rated youngster who, it is believed here, may just get the nod to play in the First Test ahead of the off-colour Mohammed Sami.

Two other promising fast bowlers are Mohammad Irshad — a young medium pacer from Khanewal — and Iftikhar Anjum. If all three play, India would experience something of what’s waiting for them in the First Test.

People here are disappointed, though, that Virender Sehwag, the man who set the ball rolling at Multan last year, will not be playing in the warm-up match. Inzamam called Sehwag ‘‘one of the most important weapons’’ in India’s arsenal for his ability to score fast and freely. They will be cheered, no doubt, to learn that he didn’t set the scoreboard on fire playing Ranji Trophy in Bangalore for Delhi.

For India, who’ve been given permission to field all 12 available players, this match is a chance to get some much needed batting practice. Dravid, at the press conference today, brushed aside queries on Sachin’s form but there will be some unstated concern surrounding VVS Laxman and Sehwag too.

The match is also a straight contest between Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir for the chance to partner Sehwag.

The weather may play a huge role in the match. Daytime temperatures are manageable — 19 degrees, the same as delhi — but the mercury dips to 4 to 6 degrees, and Sunday night’s forecast is 2. That leads to the fog and dew factor and, if there’s an accompanying wind, the Indians may find the going tough if they bat first.

The PCB has taken enough precautions to see that the wicket is well covered. However, in these conditions, moisture might still get the better of whatever preparations have been made to keep the pitch dry.

If not, there’s a game on. And the warm-up could get decidedly hot.