For Pakistan, it has been a dream to beat India in a cricket World Cup, regardless of the format.
India-Pakistan contests have always produced quality cricket under tense situations. They have enriched the game. Their recent face-off here in the Asia Cup lived every bit of the hype it generated and whetted the appetite for the much-awaited clash in WorldT20 in the picturesque town of Dharamasala which is expected be a total sell-out on March 19.
The return of Mohammad Aamir has only added sting to the Pakistan attack. Their bowlers have reveled in the pacer-friendly conditions in Asia Cup but coach and bowling great Waqar Younis insisted his attack has the skills to be equally potent on the flatbeds of India.
“It’s not that Pakistani bowlers are good on these pitches only. I agree pitches here (Asia Cup), what we have seen in the last game (India-Pakistan), have been very conducive. But it’s not that we are real bully only in these conditions. Our bowlers are still good enough for flat tracks. I have seen these guys do it. I have full faith in our fast bowlers,” Younis told Deccan Herald.
He did not hesitate in saying that Indian tracks made for the most flat pitches in the cricketing world. “There are venues these days, India especially -- forget Pakistan because we haven’t played cricket at home for a long time – I cannot find a single track where the bowlers can have their say, be it Bangalore, Chennai, Mohali and even Kolkata, where there might be little bit for spinners.”
However, the venue for the India-Pakistan match in Dharamsala is going to be to the liking of Younis as the conditions on offer will be relished by fast bowlers. He conceded it was a game which his side would be aiming to break their long-standing jinx.
“Dharamsala game is of course important. It was important the other day also (in Asia Cup). People are keen and eager to watch that match. It is important to break the jinx in World Cup. It has been important all these years, to be honest! (laughs). If you go back to the 90s we were unbeatable, we always knew it would be an easy game (against India), but it’s the other way now. IPL has really helped India, playing at home has really helped them. They are a fitter team today. We have to work hard, we still have a fine bowling line-up but we need runs on the board.”
Younis himself has been part of some of those classic encounters and calls India-Pakistan “mother of all games”.
“It is the mother of all games for me. People say Ashes and all, but for me it is India-Pakistan,” Younis said.
“India-Pakistan is always a hyped up game and people are crazy about it, which is good for the game and the players. If you can’t play the high pressure games then that means you are not good enough. Guys are eager to play against each other and whatever comes our way, people want to make the most of it.”
