Pakistan rewarded for preparation

To ensure that I don't incur the Melbourne Cup curse on my fellow countrymen and teammates, I will predict at this stage that the South Africans are my favourites for the 1999 World Cup. Saying this only to avoid superstition, I look through objective eyes to see an outstanding Australian squad who have won their first danger game against Scotland without too much fuss.

Adding to the rich natural talent and invaluable experience within the team, is a depth that would make most cricket-playing nations envious. Superstars Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Mark Waugh add sparkling polish to a younger brigade of players who may also find themselves tagged as great players themselves in the future. Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, already a great player in the one-day game, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist are batsmen who need no introduction on the world stage. Add to this three quality allrounders, Tom Moody, Shane Lee and Brendon Julian, who all have the ability to make a difference with both bat and ball, plus genuine swing bowlers in Adam Dale and Damien Flemming and the Australian team looks extraordinarily strong.

The Pakistan beating the West Indies will be a major boost to this talented, brilliant, entertaining, but surely undivided team? Possibly the most gifted all round team in the world of International cricket, they must also be one of the favorites, on paper, for this year's World Cup. Boasting great player's Wasim Akram, Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younus and Saaed Anwar, this team can be absolute world-beaters on their day. Add Saqlain, Ijaz, Inzamaam, Moin Khan, Akhtar and allrounders Afridi and Mahmood, and the talent is truly immense.

When the Australian team was in Pakistan last September I can 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.

With endless allegations about match fixing and betting, and the subsequent rumors and innuendo's, 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, as Imran Khan claims that he is, 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.

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