A veteran returns to Mohali, this time in Pakistan’s corner

[sam]

Walking into the sprawling lobby of the PCA Stadium in Mohali, Intikhab Alam, manager of the Pakistan cricket team, stopped to glance at his picture on the wall. Onlookers thought they say a little smile on Alam’s face — the picture on the wall was his own.

A few steps on, PCA president I S Bindra hugged Alam warmly. It made him “go back in time”, Alam said later. “As I entered the PCA premises, I was gripped by nostalgia,” he said. “It feels like home.”

Punjab, and the PCA are in fact, home of sorts to the former Pakistan legspinner. He was born in Hoshiarpur near here, and coached the Punjab Ranji side for two years in 2004-05. For the subcontinental rivals who will fight for a place in the World Cup final here on Wednesday, Alam is a unique link.

“Inti is a wonderful friend. He spent two years with PCA and helped Punjab reach the Ranji final once (in 2005). We enjoyed his services during that period,” Bindra said. “It is nice to see him here again.”

PCA had asked Alam for his services again in 2008, but visa problems for the Pakistani ensured the offer did not materialise into a second association. During his first stint, Alam had as his wards Indian stars Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh.

“Both Harbhajan and Yuvraj are match-winning players,” Alam said. “Bhajji has done exceptionally well for India over the years and proved his mettle. Yuvraj played a few matches under me, and I could see a lot of potential in him then. I had always said that Yuvi needed more discipline in his batting. He has not disappointed me in this World Cup.”

Walking out to the middle, Alam met curator Daljit Singh and inquired about the pitch. His knowledge of conditions and the PCA wicket will come in handy for captain Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis as they draw up strategy.

“The PCA wicket has good bounce and pace,” Alam said. “It will probably help the team bowling first. Umar Gul can be lethal on this wicket. Even Shahid Afridi will be very useful, and he has been very successful in the tournament. I will use all the knowledge and expertise that I had gathered here as Punjab coach for the Pakistan team.”

Over the years, Alam has been a bit of a lucky mascot for Pakistan. He was coach of the side that won the World Cup in 1992, and of the one that won the 2009 T20 title. “I hope that happens for the third time, but for that we need to clear the India hurdle at Mohali,” he said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/a-...orner/767892/1

[kingusama92]

Interesting, so we will most likely look to bowl first.

[sam]

Pakistan can't chase

Pressure cooker situation and all that

[Khan88]

Originally Posted by kingusama92 Interesting, so we will most likely look to bowl first.

Hopefully if there's 320 to get, our openers don't play negatively and initiate a collapse. I think India will want to bat first, so looks likely we'll be chasing, but hopefully the dew factor is a bonus and India's weak attack of course.

[Dr Khan]

I am sure we will play out of our skin and win the game to stun the billions of Indians

[Khan6575]

Don't mind chasing against India at all. If we restrict them around 280 or less we have every chance of chasing it in those flat Indian wickets. Anything above will be a close finish with whichever team holding their nerves at the end winning.

Either way we will triumph at the end.

[asadee]

Both our wins against them at Mohali have come while chasing

[hasanmehmoodkhan]

pakistan are simply to mentally weak to chase