All eyes on Irfan in the land of Pathans

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">PESHAWAR:</span> Quiet. Quiet, you can almost listen to that conversation. Come closer, let all these talks about security fade, don''t worry about the 1-1 result and just listen to what Abdul Qadir said: " <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Woh ladka to champion thaa</span>.It was at this ground that I challenged him if he could hit me for a six. He told me: ''you are a great bowler, I won''t be able to hit you''. I told him: ''<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Agar tujh mein jigra hai to mujhey maar</span>." <br /><br />We are with the former Pakistan leg-spinner Qadir and he is recalling the 1989 unofficial match played when Sachin Tendulkar rained sixes at the same venue. <br /><br />"Off his first three balls, Tendulkar hit two sixes and a four off, I guess, Mushtaq Ahmed," Qadir is dusting off the past. "And when I bowled he hit me for three or four sixers and took 27 runs off that over." You can almost touch the awe in Qadir''s voice. <br /><br />This legend will keep revisiting us whenever any leg-spinner comes in with a broken swagger and a batsman crushes his ego with straight sixes. <br /><br />At some stage on Friday, Tendulkar will take his place at the far end, looking at the pavilion end where those balls landed to create history... "at least not in the morning. It is good for India if they chase. My experience tells me that the pitch has some bounce and it seams in the morning as well. The way the series has been dominated by the batsmen that is India''s best chance," says Qadir. <br /><br />Hmmm... so Sourav Ganguly should win the toss and bowl. That seems a good option with left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan running in well and bowling fast. During practice the thud of Zaheer''s landing was getting louder. <br /><br />That was ample proof that the rhythm was in sync with his body. "Oh, that lad has a beautiful action. Zaheer is now an experienced bowler and this wicket should suit him well. But I want to see two people in action. One is Irfan Pathan.....," Qadir goes on. <br /><br />Nehra''s injury has meant that Irfan returns to the fold. His pleasing looks may not reflect that, but his fast bowler''s soul must be simmering for revenge. Disdain reigned Lahore''s Gadaffi Stadium when Irfan was clobbered around in the practice match at the top of this tour. <br /><br />For starters, Ganguly is doing his bit to rebuild his confidence. "Irfan was our highest wicket taker in Australia. I''m sure he will deliver for us." <br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">Someone here just mentioned that Taufeeq Umar, who blasted the Indians with Imran Nazir in the practice match may get a look in place of Younis Khan. Let''s keep it as a speculation.<br /><br />"... and the other is VVS Laxman," Qadir returns. "Since I saw him play in Australia in 1999-2000, I''ve wanted to see him bat. I think this pitch should suit him. He is good square off the wicket and this strip encourages that kind of strokeplay." <br /><br />Laxman, a marvel in himself, may just love the small boundaries. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh should be keeping Laxman company. <br /><br />These Indian cubs have been hitting the ball crisply and with some luck may have a date with the scorers on Friday. <br /><br />"Yuvraj is one of the best finishers. I don''t think people realise his worth as he is one of the more intelligent batsmen in world cricket," Qadir said. <br /><br />But the Green camp isn''t too worried. "We aren''t too worried about reputations. It''s on the day that counts. We have kept out nerves in the last match and we need to do just that," said coach Javed Miandad. <br /><br />But in reality, he must be a little pensive with his bowling line-up struggling against the Indian batting. "The bowling from both sides has been ordinary. I think this match should be a little different. Settle honey mein zyada waqt lag gaya. I''m surprised why there haven''t been any slower balls bowled so far," Qadir wonders. <br /><br />Mohammed Sami seems the best bowler on show. If he chooses a day where he can control the movement he can put dents aplenty. But locals here want their pathan Shahid Afridi to fire. <br /><br />Small ground, decent pitch and Afridi on a high, settle down in front of those TV sets. You never know, if March 19, 2004 may just give birth to one more of those legends.</div> </div>