It has been touted as the mother of all clashes but India skipper MS Dhoni says he is not adding to the hysteria of the India-Pakistan clash.
There is hype, there is glamour and there is the bizzare sight of men in uniform can outnumbering the scribes in the Media Box at the Punjab Cricket Association, but Dhoni is not overawed by the occasion.
“There is hype and hysteria but we are not getting involved. One thing you know about the hype is that thinking about it won’t help your performance and what doesn’t help your performance should be kept out,” Dhoni said ahead of the big clash on Wednesday.
Asked, if the presence of some distinguished guests, which includes the Prime Ministers of both countries would affect the performance, Dhoni said, “We know what we are expected to do. We are expected to play good cricket on the field. All these things have been a part of Indian cricket for a long time, it’s not happening for the first time. Of course, some of the distinguished guests would also be present, but they are here to enjoy cricket and we have to be at our best. We have been preparing well, let us see how it goes.”
The India skipper is aware that the Wednesday clash is all between Pakistan bowlers and India’s batting power.
“I think Pakistan have been bowling well, not just with the pacers but with the spinners as well. And they have part-timers who can bowl as well. It is like a typical sub-continental pitch. They have a couple of bowling all-rounders including Razzaq and Afridi which gives them the liberty of playing more than five bowlers.
“Afridi has been bowling really well and if you see his performance, it is very interesting. But irrespective of who the bowler is, it is important to treat a delivery on its merit rather than thinking about who is bowling it. What’s important is to see if it is a good delivery,” Dhoni stated the obvious.
Confident Afridi
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi continued the verbal game against India when he said they were under less pressure than India.
“This is an important game for both teams and we are very well prepared. It’s a beautiful ground and the pitch will be very good. We are enjoying the pressure. We are not the favourite team for this competition but it’s India. We are happy with the fact that we have played above our own expectations in this tournament,” a confident Afridi added.
Contrary to the Indian captain's opinion, Afridi accepted that there would be lot of pressure and they have to perform as a cricketer and ambassadors of their country.
“Of course there would be lot of pressure and the main thing is to know how to handle the pressure. We don't need to panic under pressure.
"I think I am a cricketer first and then a diplomat. I am an ambassador for Pakistan, so I should know what to say. I am very happy that these boys are doing a great job. They have been waiting for this game, they really want to participate. We have been working really hard, especially in the practice sessions. We took it seriously, we didn't waste our time. My boys have been enjoying it and it's good to see they are ready for this game,” a smiling Afridi thundered in his patent Boom Boom style.
No comments:
Post a Comment