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Pacemen will hold the keys
Fast bowlers would hold the key for Pakistan in the forthcoming Indo-Pak series, writes former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif.
Fast bowlers would hold the key for Pakistan in the forthcoming Indo-Pak series which will mark the return of the most competitive and festive cricket. Ashes are also much awaited but no contest can match the battle between the sub-continental neighbours.
Most of the Pakistani and Indian players are good friends. But the charged atmosphere by thousands in the stands and millions in front of television, has its effect on players. Some tend to raise their levels like never before and provide cherished memories. The incredible run-feast at Karachi set the tone for the last series. The triple hundreds of Virender Sehwag and double by Rahul Dravid are like badges of honour.
When Australia visited India at the start of the season, their fast bowling trio of Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz got 43 wickets (63 per cent) while Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz and Shane Warne had 25 scalps (37 per cent). In the last series between India and Pakistan, 21 wickets (66 per cent) of visitors were claimed by the Pakistani pacemen.
Pakistan have left behind Abdul Rauf, Shahid Nazir and Mohammad Irshad from the touring party and they are all worthy youngsters. I would have preferred Mohammad Irshad as he is genuinely quick and with Sami his pace could have been disconcerting.
Pacemen of course will be assisted by SG balls, to be used in the series instead of the Kookaburra ones. SG balls in India is quite hard with a high-up seam. The first 20 overs with an SG ball by genuinely fast bowlers can daunt any batting line-up of the world. It has good graze resistance, hardness and thus is able to retain its shape longer. It also helps good spinners. It tends to reverse swing a lot and batting line-ups can suffer sudden collapses.
If Sami and company can play havoc in the Indian line-up, high-action leg-spinner Danish Kaneria with the harder ball can play the key role with quick wickets at critical stages. Arshad Khan will be a very good spinning foil. Pakistan unfortunately does not have quality left-arm spinner and it could tell in the series as you need bowlers to exploit the roughs on the fourth and fifth day.
