Playing down the absence of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan
skipper Shoaib Malik said the presence of explosive striker Shahid Afridi
would provide his team some psychological advantage in the much-awaited Twenty20
clash against India on Friday. 
After the disastrous World Cup in the West Indies, in
which both India and Pakistan made first round exits, the two sides are ready
to square up against each other and Malik is banking on Afridi's firepower to
notch up a win against the arch-rivals.
"For us, any game against India is very special. My team
is working hard and they are keen to go out and give their best against India,"
Malik told reporters here today.
"Actually, anyone can be a trump card in this version
of the game. If a bowler gets two wickets in an over, or if a batsmen gets you
15 runs in an over, he could turn the game on its head. But, having said that,
we do have an advantage in having a player like Afridi in our ranks because
getting a good start will be important.
"If the openers give a head start while batting, or if
the bowlers do well in the first five-six overs, it can make a huge difference.
It's like the 100-metre race. Getting a good start is very important,"
Malik said.
Pakistan rely heavily on Afridi's big-hitting prowess and the
27-year old -- who has the world record for scoring a 37-ball hundred besides
hitting the most number of sixes in one-dayers (239) -- gives them a big advantage.
|
