India capable of bouncing back: Sadiq

Former Pakistan great, Sadiq Mohammed, feels this Indian team is capable of bouncing back in the ongoing One-Day International series.

Citing the way India split the Twenty20 two-match series, Sadiq, younger brother of the great Hanif Mohammed, said Pakistan should aim to wrap-up the series here itself as because the Indian team was capable of returning to winning ways.

He felt India opener Virender Sehwag is the most dangerous batsmen. “If he gets going it is very difficult to stop him,’’ he said. The classy opener of yesteryears felt Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed, whose 101 turned the match in favour of Pakistan at Chennai, was technically a sound batsman and was capable of playing long innings. “Sehwag presents a lot of chances as because he takes a lot of risk. Jamshed is solid,” he observed.

Sadiq said he was really disappointed with the way Sachin Tendulkar retired. “I was looking forward to seeing him play. But then he called it quits. That is the not the way a player of his stature should go. He should have announced his last match so that the send off match could have been arranged nicely,” he felt.

“See how Asif Iqbal retired at this venue in front of 93,000 spectators. Every player wants a farewell like this.”

He recalled the fond memories of playing at this venue and termed it as ‘exciting’ to play in front of spectators in excess of 90,000.

“Playing at this venue puts extra pressure on the players especially if it is an India-Pakistan game,” he pointed out.

“A player needed extra-ordinary concentration to survive at this venue where the roar of the gathering can be disconcerting.”