Ind vs Pak: Akhtar doubtful for World Cup semifinal

MOHALI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi on Tuesday said that retiring pacer Shoaib Akhtar is racing against time to be fit for the World Cup semifinal against India and is a doubtful starter for the high-profile match to be played at the PCA stadium on Wednesday.

Akhtar has played just three games in the tournament before being dropped but current and former Pakistan players have been calling for the experienced pacer's return in the playing eleven in a bid to unsettle the Indian batsmen.

Afridi, however, said that the team management will take a call on the temperamental pacer later in the day.

"Shoaib is not 100 per cent (fit). He is trying his level best to play and we will decide on him in the evening," Afridi said during the pre-match press conference.

The 35-year-old Akhtar, who has played 163 ODIs for Pakistan, also received support from teammates Umar Gul and Misbah-ul-Haq.

The Pakistani skipper seemed to have started mind games when he said that pressure will be more on India compared to his team during the match.

"We are not the most favourite team for this competition. India is the most favourite and we have played above expectations. We are enjoying our cricket," Afridi said.

"If you know how to handle it, there is no need to panic. I think we will enjoy playing here," he said when asked if the match was being seen more as a battle of nerves.

Admitting that it is always a big challenge to play against India in their home turf, Afridi said his team was up for the task at hand.

"This game is very important for both the sides. We have prepared well for this game and we are confident," he said.

Apart from a place in the April 2 World Cup final at stake, Wednesday's match will also witness cricket diplomacy with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and his India counterpart Manmohan Singh attending the game.

And Afridi said the sport has and will always build the bridge between the two nations, who have not played a bilateral series since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

"I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together," Afridi said.

Afridi said he was honoured to represent and lead Pakistan in the match.

"I am a cricketer first, then a diplomat and ambassador or whatever you may call," he said.

Afridi also held the media responsible for strained relations between the two neighbouring countries.

"Media ki vajeh say India, Pakistan kay relations itney kharab huvein hein (it is because of the media that relations between the two sides have deteriorated)," he lamented.

He also sought to blame the media for twisting his comments on Sachin Tendulkar, who is just one away from reaching the milestone of 100 international tons.

Praising the Mohali track, Afridi said to an extent it would be correct to say that Wednesday's contest would be between Pakistan's strong bowling attack versus India's formidable batting line-up.

Afridi, who is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 scalps, said he has transformed as a bowler.

"My focus has been on bowling," the all-rounder said. He also praised the controversy-ridden Pakistan team for its impressive display in the tournament.

"The guys have been doing a good job over the past 7-8 months. The team has played as a unit," Afridi said.

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Ind vs Pak: New bats for Sachin Tendulkar?

MOHALI: Sachin Tendulkar is known to prepare assiduously before any match. He never leaves anything to chance and covers all bases before getting into the thick of the battle. Now that India are just two wins away from one of his most cherished goals - the World Cup crown - the batting maestro must be preparing even harder.

On Sunday, one got a sneak peak into his plans for the semifinal against Pakistan, and possibly the final on April 2, when he brought to the ground a fresh supply of bats. Tendulkar is very fastidious about his willows and wants them to be in perfect shape so that he can heap maximum damage on the bowlers.

The gleaming new bats needed some breaking up so he, after doing a few knock-downs himself, asked the yoga trainer Manoj Kumar to give them some hits.

Thus, while Tendulkar played football with teammates, Kumar kept hitting balls with the bats for close to an hour.

Tendulkar came back to continue the routine himself before Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli also got a taste of the master's new weapons of mass destruction.

Will Tendulkar be employing one of these new bats in the semifinal against Pakistan? We will know shortly. Maybe, his 100th international century (he is just one short) will come through a brand new bat.

PCA officials go into hiding

The tickets for India-Pakistan matches always come at a premium but if it happens to be a World Cup match and that too a semifinal clash the stakes are bound to rise.

And with it rises the expectations from the host association to oblige as many people as it can. But as far as Punjab Cricket Association is concerned, it has thrown in the towel.

Such is the demand for tickets and passes that a majority of the PCA officials have gone into hiding for the past two-three days and are surfacing just to keep the operational activities going.

The mobile phones have been switched off for the last two days and hardly anyone knows from where they were operating during that time.

Expectant visitors to PCA joint secretary GS Walia's office are greeted by a huge lock. Unable to bear the pressure, PCA officials have gone to the extent of even requesting some of its members to voluntarily return the tickets so as to accommodate more number of guests and promised that they will be accommodated somewhere else. Not surprisingly, no one has come forward till now.

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Ind vs Pak: World Cup record in India's favour

MIRPUR: Team India is fancying its chances quite strongly against Pakistan in the semifinal to be played at Mohali on March 30, and their confidence obviously stems from their awe-inspiring track record against the arch-rivals. Since the 1992 Cup, India faced Pakistan four times and emerged winners on all occasions.

"We are happy that Pakistan are our opponents in the semifinals and we are ready for them. We have a good track record against them in the World Cup and we will draw a lot of inspiration from that. Even the last time we played them in the Asia Cup, we were able to beat them," an Indian player, who didn't wish to be named, said.

Notwithstanding this piece of record, India are not taking Pakistan lightly and respect the fact that they also played consistent cricket to reach the semis, like India. "We are not going to take any match lightly. The Australia win was very satisfying, but we have to move on and get ready for the Pakistan game," the cricketer said.

With the biggest game of the World Cup coming up, the celebration of annihilating Australia has been muted. "Pressure will be huge, but we are ready for it," a team source said.

Along with the batting, which is India's forte, the team is relieved that the bowlers have finally joined the party. "With Ashwin coming into the playing XI, the bowling unit now looks very good. Hope we can continue to do like this in the next two matches," a team source said.

Team India is likely to reach Mohali by Saturday and hit the nets right on Sunday to sharpen their game for the big battle. "The couple of days rest should do a lot of good before they begin their preparation for the big game," said the sources.

With five days remaining for the high-octane clash, India would like to cover up all the bases.

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