The Hindu : Sport : Kaif feels game still wide open

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Kaif feels game still wide open

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Uttar Pradesh captain Mohd. Kaif said he was disappointed with the umpire’s decision (adjudged caught behind off Zaheer Khan) but still believes that the game is wide open.

Speaking to the media after the second day’s play, Kaif said that he was disappointed because that was the phase when he and Shivakant Shukla were building up a big stand. “But these things do happen and are part of the game. For us the focus shifts to tomorrow (Wednesday) and I feel that it is not just the case of one session being important. The whole day is crucial for us,” he said.

Wicket looks good

Kaif said that he was hoping for a close finish even at this stage as the wicket looked good and that it would not be a nasty turner but only get lower and slower. “I hope the youngsters will respond to the occasion as well as they did in the semifinal,” he added.

The U.P. captain also felt that Shivakant had more clarity about his role in the team as a batsman after his brilliant display against Tamil Nadu in the semifinal. “There are still three days to go in the match. We just need one good stand. Definitely, you cannot have a completely good match. You are bound to be on top one day and down the other day,” Kaif said.

Mumbai coach Pravin Amre also believed that it was still a long way to go and the match still wide open. “It is obviously important to get the breakthroughs in the morning session and we are really pleased with the way Zaheer bowled today (Tuesday),” he said.

“We are aware of the fact that both Shivakant and Parvinder Singh, who are at the crease, did so well in the semifinal. But this pitch is not that easy to bat on and we will look to dismiss them as early as possible,” the Mumbai coach said.

Amre also felt that inconsistent umpiring was a factor for both the teams. “I am sure the BCCI would address the issue. But, it is a fact that we need to have quality umpires,” he said.

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