Optimistic Pakistan Play Final Today: From Special Representative QAMAR AHMED

Optimistic Pakistan play final today
MELBOURNE, March 24: The final of the fifth World Cup tomorrow between Pakistan and England at the MCG is likely to attract a capacity crowd of over 100,000. Although Australia failed to make it to the final, the game itself is already a sellout. It is estimated that nearly a billion people will be able to watch the telecast beamed by satellite. Pakistan supporters, though a handful, are already in town from different nooks and corners of Australia and from countries all round the world and England has thousands of them who have come From Special Representative QAMAR AHMED to Australia on package tours to keel are determined to bring back witness the World Cup home the honour and pride of winextravaganza. Hundreds of them ning the World Cup. Pakistan's captain Imran Khan is were already present on Tuesday at the MCG to watch their heroes prepare themselves for perhaps on unforgettable encounter. World Cup final 9.30 a.m. onwards the winner of the competition will bag $50,000 and the loser $25,000 but the prize rripney at this stage is of lest consequence. The honour of winning the covete'd trophy is what matters most and the two teams balanced at even victories in a row against Australia, Sri Lanka, and twice against New Zealand, will keep Pakistan in good stead, "the boys are absolutely over the moon about playing in the final of the cup in front of a capacity crowd. One thing is sure that we will not be short of support from the crowd at MCG, he said. With Australia out of the contest, the locale will of course be shouting for Pakistan considering their optimistic about his team's chances inbuilt traditional opposition of the and so is his counterpart, Graham roms (English). The same was true Gooch, the England captain. Imran when England last played in the thinks that the spirit that has been Continued on Page 15 created in his team after their four
Pak team optimistic about its chances in final

(Continued from Page 1) final at Calcutta against Australia at the Eden Garden. The former colonialists were heckled and shouted down by the Indian crowd as the majority of them had rallied behind the Australians who in the end walked away with the trophy. Imran, who criticised the World Cup rules along with others regarding a rain interrupted play and who also commented on the World Cup saying 'this one is the worst organised World Cup". His views have, however, been lambasted by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) General Manager Graham Halbish in a statement issued in Melbourne in a local paper. Imran's major criticism was of the controversial rules interpretations that led to South Africa chasing 22 runs in one ball in the semifinal against England. The outcome of which was a farcical conclusion to Sunday night's rain-affected match. Halbish said there had been no informal talks on the rain rules and it was unlikely that they would be changed for the final. Imran who however had asked the rules to be changed for the final in agreement with the England captain was disappointed that rules for the final will also remain the same. It was confirmed by the Chairman of the World cup Committee, Mr Malcolm Gray. "It was considered in this morning's meeting unfair to all countries in the World cup if the rules were changed only for the final. It was, therefore, agreed that there will be no changes to the playing conditions applying to the World cup final", Gray said. Mr Halbish, the general Manager, attacked Imran over his comments that the 1992 world cup was the worst organised in history. "We have no indication from the management of the Pakistan team that they were unhappy with the organisation. In fact many have congratulated us on the organisation, "he said. Poorly organised or not the truth of the matter is that it is nearly all over now except the final hitch is being put today. the weather forecast is good and it is highly unlikely that there will be any interruption. That is what everyone is expecting, at least for the games sake. Pakistan is likely to make only one change from the team which won the exciting semi-final against New Zealand last Saturday at Auckland. Leg-spinner, Iqbal sikander is likely to be replaced by ejaz Ahmed to strengthen the batting and to have an extra bowler. England is still not sure about the fitness of robin Smith, their ace batsman and all-rounder Derek Pringle. smith is troubled by a nerve in his back which has suddenly pinched and made him feel uncomfortable and Pringle has a side strain. A decision will be taken before the start of play. with Defreitas, Chris Lewis,
MELBOURNE: Pakistan captain Imran Khan (C) talks with representatives of the world . media after his team's training on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 24, venue for the World Cup Cricket final against England on March 25. Reuter wirephoto
MELBOURNE: England captain Grahan Gooch (R) talks with team coach Mickey Stewart during net practice at the Mrlboume Cricket Ground on March 24, venue for the World Cup Cricket final against Pakistan on March 25. Reuter wirephoto Gladstone Small, Phil Tufnell, Ian Botham and Richard Illingworth, England has still an awesome combination of pace and spin and Gooch, Stewart, Botham, smith Lamb and Lewis present formidable batting lineup. Graham Gooch said that Pakistan is a strong side and it is going to be an even contest. Much will depend on how well we perform on the day, "the England captain said. In Wasim Akram, Aaqib Javed, Imran has two fine bowlers and spinner Mushtaq ahmed is yet to let him down. Imran can bowl a few and so would ejaz Ahmed and Salim Malik. Pakistan batting will depend much on how well Javed Miandad, Rameez raja, Aamir Sohail, Inzamamul Haq, Salim Malik and Imran Khan bat. The wicket appears to be of even bounce as it had been watered and rolled a lot. winning the toss will matter a lot. Pakistan will be better off chasing the runs. whatever the outcome, however, one must bear in mind that a win for Pakistan will be the best thing that has ever happened to Pakistan cricket. In defeat Pakistan will not be disgraced because from a point of nowhere, they have managed to rise to the top to play in the final, they have done enough to have a pat on the back whether they lose or win.

Optimistic Pakistan Play Final Today: From Special Representative QAMAR AHMED

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