Wright concedes that Pak have an edge

"Given our performance in the last few games and how they have done, Pakistan do enjoy a slight advantage," remarked John Wright.

Indian coach John Wright on Friday conceded Pakistan had a slight edge going into the crucial encounter in Group C of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday.

HT Image

"Given our performance in the last few games and how they have done, Pakistan do enjoy a slight advantage," remarked Wright after an indoor nets session at the Edgbaston ground.

Both India and Pakistan have two points each from their game against Kenya and the winner on Saturday would advance to the semifinal against the Group B topper.

Pakistan also enjoy a better run rate of (+3.21) as against India's (+1.96), which would be the deciding factor incase the match was to be washed out by rain.

Indeed, it was quite a sight to see both the Indian and Pakistani cricketers sharing the two nets at the indoors this morning, cordial and civil to each other as they prepared for Sunday's battle.

Wright called upon his players to improve on all counts if they were to prevail over Pakistan.

He was not sure if India would go into the game with three medium-pacers and just a spinner given how Pakistani spinners Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi performed against Kenya the other day at the same venue.

"Looking at how our two spinners bowled -- and both Harbhajan and Kumble look different when bowling in tandem -- we would reserve our judgment if it is only going to be a solitary spinner in the side."

Wright reiterated his confidence in Virender Sehwag despite his continued failures.

"He is a match-winner and let's say he is only two or three shots away from hitting his form," remarked Wright.

The same held true for Yuvraj Singh who is looking in the middle of a poor patch in his career.

"Let's say it we would have been happy if they had got a few runs in the last two games," said Wright.