The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Malik promises a tough fight

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Thursday, Nov 15, 2007
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Malik promises a tough fight

Sports Reporter

Gwalior: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik vowed that his team would fight hard to stay alive in the Indian Oil Cup. “We know that we don’t have another chance if we lose this. We will definitely fight very hard. The morale in the team is high.”

On the wicket and his batting options, he said that the batting order would be flexible. “Wicket looks good. Players are flexible. They can bat in any position they have to,” said the captain.

Malik is likely to open the batting, with Iftikhar Anjum likely to replace Abdur Rehman in the 11.

On the chances of Kamran Akmal playing the match, he said that the decision would be taken on the morning of the match. “We will decide then, depending on Akmal’s injury (left index finger injury). Both (Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed) are here.”

On Shoaib Akhtar’s comments that he was not prepared for the one-dayers, he said, “all our players are playing for the country, and are fit and prepared.”

The dew element

The dew element, he said, would not have much of an impact in the day-night encounter. “Even in Mohali, there were measures taken, and it didn’t make much of a difference.” The captain also added that the spinners in his side were struggling. “The Indian spinners are bowling very well. Our spinners are good, but going through a bad patch,” he said.

When asked if the series lacked the element of aggression (except for the incident involving Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi), he said, “cricket is a gentlemen’s game. It’s been a good series and players have to be given credit for that.”

India’s Robin Uthappa said that he would bat in any position in the batting order. “I will do anything for the country. I will bat anywhere and for any number of overs they want me to bat.”

Top of the game

The batsman said that the team was confident ahead of the match. “There is still pressure. The three matches could have gone either way, but I would say that we have the upper hand right now. We are on top of our game now and are well prepared for the match,” he said.

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