This is Pakistan’s fabled Wild (North) West, where tribal laws rule and outsiders are given a long list of don’s and don’ts. But the ‘‘safety factor’’ being debated here has little to do with the physical: After seeing 1300 runs scored in two matches, the concern relates more to what is a winning total.And Peshawar’s contribution to this trend is the usual: the Arbab Niaz Stadium promises to be another graveyard for the bowlers. The track here has a thin covering of grass but during the day, as both Pakistan and Indian teams made a trip to the Stadium, the mower was put into operation. Curator Mir Bashir Khan has promised a high-scoring match and, though it’s not good news for the bowling attacks, it will keep the Pathans happy.It’s also made Saurav Ganguly happy. After a close look at the track, this afternoon, he said the pitch once again would give bowlers ‘no margin for error’ and in a way said a small prayer too for his bowlers. ‘‘Most wickets in one-day cricket as far as possible are bare. I think it will change as the series progresses, but so far the wickets have been outstanding but in favour of the batsmen.’’Pakistan vice-captain Yousuf Youhana hoped for another run-feast and, though pitying the bowlers of both sides, said any score below 300 would be ‘‘mushkil’’ to defend. ‘‘Cricket has become fast and wickets flat. So we will continue to have high scores. Even 300+ can be achieved but the openers are the key.’’This though would mean more bad news for an Indian bowling attack that has so far lived up to the reputation of being the weak link in the Indian team. With Ashish Nehra being ruled out, Irfan Pathan gets a chance finally on this tour. Pathan’s skipper had some kind words for him that must surely pump up the 19-year-old. ‘‘Irfan has delivered under pressure in Australia and I am sure he will continue to do so even now.’’Irfan’s inclusion only means good news for support bowler and good friend Lakshmipathy Balaji, who has so far had a mixed series.‘‘Irfan and I bowled well in Australia, so we have sort of formed a good partnership. There will be no pressure on us whatsoever.’’The Indian team is expected to make no more changes to the Rawalpindi ODI side that almost pulled off an incredible win with their well-oiled batting machine. A good-natured round of team sport volleyball confirmed that the narrow loss two days ago has not put off the team.Spearhead Zaheer Khan will be watched closely because there will be more pressure on him with the arrival of Amit Bhandari on March 22. But just like Coach John Wright skipper Ganguly too came to the defence of his strike bowler. ‘‘Zaheer has just had good nets yesterday. He has been out of cricket for three months, so he is just getting back into the groove.’’New boy Ramesh Powar, after his first game heroics with the bat, is in high spirits especially because of the nonchalance with which he hit speed demon Shoaib Akhtar. ‘‘I felt most comfortable and was not nervous while playing against him,’’ said the stocky Mumbaikar, who will, however, have to better his bowling show if he has to play the full series.He’d better not be nervous for there will be a wounded warrior in Shoaib Akhtar waiting to pounce on him. The Pakistani spearhead is hurt and will only rest if he has his revenge.His indifferent form apart the home team are doing reasonably and are not likely to rush reinstated Taufeeq Umar back into the Pakistan team.
