Clashes add to semis tension
Source: Agencies |
March 29, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ANGRY protestors clashed with police yesterday outside the stadium in Mohali where host India will meet Pakistan in a World Cup semifinal which has captured the imagination of the sub-continent.
A witness said seven people had been arrested after police and security forces on horseback tried to push back an estimated 1,000-strong crowd.
Indian television stations said the protests had been related to government jobs in Punjab.
Tomorrow's match is the first between the two neighbors in India since Pakistan-based militants killed 166 people in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The winners will play the victors of today's Colombo semifinal between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the final in Mumbai on Saturday.
In Karachi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik warned the Pakistan team it was being kept under a close scrutiny because of the recent spot-fixing scandal.
"We are taking no risks now and we are keeping a close watch on the team for the semi-final because we don't want any more spot-fixing scandals," Malik told reporters.
Three Pakistan players have been banned for a minimum five years each for manipulating incidents in last year's Lord's test against England.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan told Indian television channels he was appalled by what Malik had said before such an important match.
"I just hope he didn't mean what he said as it is not good for the team," Imran said.
Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul told a news conference he had not heard the minister's remarks.
"We are just focusing on the game and there is no pressure on us," he said. "For the past five to six months, we have endured a lot of pressure and scandals. But we have been doing well for some time."
Meanwhile, there are increasing calls for Shoaib Akhtar to be restored to the Pakistan side for the semifinal.
Several high-profile former players have backed Akhtar's inclusion, and yesterday Gul voiced his support for the 35-year-old's return to the team.
"Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India," Gul said. "If he plays, it will take some of the pressure off me. When he was not there, there was a lot of pressure on me."
Rested
Akhtar was rested, to use the Pakistan team's words, after he conceded 28 runs in a single over in the group stage loss to New Zealand. He announced in the days leading up to Pakistan's last group match against Australia that he'd be retiring after the World Cup.
Pakistan has won every game since Akhtar was left out, but his replacement Wahab Riaz hasn't made an impact and has scant experience of pitches in India. Akhtar, a veteran of 163 ODIs, has taken 17 wickets in 10 matches in India, 14 of those against the host country.
Javed Miandad, another ex-skipper who is now the director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board, agreed.
"If Shoaib Akhtar is fit and the team management thinks that the wicket will suit the fast bowlers at Mohali then they should include him in the playing XI," Miandad said.
A witness said seven people had been arrested after police and security forces on horseback tried to push back an estimated 1,000-strong crowd.
Indian television stations said the protests had been related to government jobs in Punjab.
Tomorrow's match is the first between the two neighbors in India since Pakistan-based militants killed 166 people in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The winners will play the victors of today's Colombo semifinal between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the final in Mumbai on Saturday.
In Karachi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik warned the Pakistan team it was being kept under a close scrutiny because of the recent spot-fixing scandal.
"We are taking no risks now and we are keeping a close watch on the team for the semi-final because we don't want any more spot-fixing scandals," Malik told reporters.
Three Pakistan players have been banned for a minimum five years each for manipulating incidents in last year's Lord's test against England.
Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan told Indian television channels he was appalled by what Malik had said before such an important match.
"I just hope he didn't mean what he said as it is not good for the team," Imran said.
Pakistan pace bowler Umar Gul told a news conference he had not heard the minister's remarks.
"We are just focusing on the game and there is no pressure on us," he said. "For the past five to six months, we have endured a lot of pressure and scandals. But we have been doing well for some time."
Meanwhile, there are increasing calls for Shoaib Akhtar to be restored to the Pakistan side for the semifinal.
Several high-profile former players have backed Akhtar's inclusion, and yesterday Gul voiced his support for the 35-year-old's return to the team.
"Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India," Gul said. "If he plays, it will take some of the pressure off me. When he was not there, there was a lot of pressure on me."
Rested
Akhtar was rested, to use the Pakistan team's words, after he conceded 28 runs in a single over in the group stage loss to New Zealand. He announced in the days leading up to Pakistan's last group match against Australia that he'd be retiring after the World Cup.
Pakistan has won every game since Akhtar was left out, but his replacement Wahab Riaz hasn't made an impact and has scant experience of pitches in India. Akhtar, a veteran of 163 ODIs, has taken 17 wickets in 10 matches in India, 14 of those against the host country.
Javed Miandad, another ex-skipper who is now the director general of the Pakistan Cricket Board, agreed.
"If Shoaib Akhtar is fit and the team management thinks that the wicket will suit the fast bowlers at Mohali then they should include him in the playing XI," Miandad said.
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