In two minds about gifted Pakistan

When the Australia team was in Pakistan last September I can also report that the Pakistanis were training as hard as any team that I have ever seen. The reports then were that they were gearing up for the upcoming World Cup. Under new coach, Javed Miandad, the superstar batsman with a street fighter's instincts, the Pakistan team looked determined to improve their fielding skills and fitness levels to ensure peak condition for the World Cup. Javed had them working like SAS soldiers on their aerobic fitness, flexibility and general agility, and skills, in the field. At that early stage of preparation, my gut feeling was telling me that this team would be very hard to beat come World Cup finals time. They look to have a perfect balance, with their world class bowling attack and fierce batting line-up.

The more I think about it, the logical part of my brain continued whispering that a talented team like this, who also work hard on improvement, is usually unstoppable. Unfortunately, my analytical cerebral sphere suggests that if I were a betting man, I wouldn't be putting all of my hard-earned coins on them winning this tournament. When the pressure is applied in the later rounds, I can see cracks developing in their sometimes fragile armour. Crazy you may say, but I know from experience that one of the most important ingredients of the most successful teams is an unwavering team spirit and team unity. It is these two factors that act as the glue in the most successful teams I have played in, and unless their has been a miracle cure for this World Cup, I don't feel the Pakistanis have this essential glue to go all the way.

With endless allegations about match fixing and betting, and the subsequent rumours and innuendos, there must be some rifts within the team. It seems odd to me, that on the eve of this tournament, crucial to the cricket-loving Pakistani nation, that Javed Miandad has suddenly resigned. This appears strange considering the impact and influence he looked to be having on restructuring and remoulding the Pakistan team. With the infamous match-fixing inquiry results being adjourned until after the World Cup, I would be surprised if the outcome isn't playing on the minds of some of the players? It only takes a couple of team members to have a few doubts about their teammates and the deeply rooted cracks may begin to burgeon. Unless Wasim Akram is an incredible leader of men, the unpredictability of this gifted team could continue to be written into the pages of history. No doubt Wasim will lead by example on the field, but whether he can provide the magic glue remains to be seen.

I will say a semi-final place but not the 1999 World Cup Champions!

Time will tell.

Tomorrow I will look into the West Indies, and one of the teams who I feel will be in the World Cup final on June 20.

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