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Feast of runs in offing

A rejuvenated India sans star batsman Sachin Tendulkar faces a daunting task to regain the lost sheen ahead of the World Cup, when they lock horns with Pakistan in the third encounter of the Pepsi Cup cricket triangular series at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here tomorrow.

The Pink City, where former Pakistani President General Zia-ul-Haq, in a unique gesture, had visited to witness the Indo-Pak Test in 1987, is a good venue for the first match up of the two titans from the sub-continent after Pakistan's win in India's Independence Cup.

The SMS Stadium had seen India defeat Pakistan by four wickets the last time the two teams played here, in 1983. Thus far, India has played five one-dayers here, winning three contests and losing two.

After registering their first win in the ongoing tournament a depleted Sri Lanka, both sides get to lock horns to decide which of them holds the palm over the other.

India did well to put up a huge total sans master batsman Tendulkar, against Lanka, the other day. Ajay Jadeja, continuing a run of poor form on the New Zealand tour, had another poor outing against Lanka and that will make the selectors think hard about the wisdom of bringing in Sadagopan Ramesh, the Tamil Nadu left hander in brilliant form with the bat at this time.

Staging a comeback after a long injury lay-off, Vinod Kambli was unfortunate in not getting sufficient time out in the middle, and will be looking for a longer innings this time round.

Ajit Agarkar's comeback means that the Indian bowling looks much sharper, and gives Srinath some top quality support. Laxmi Ratan Shukla, with one forgettable outing on debut against the Lankans, gets another chance to shake off his nerves and make a mark.

It is the Indian batting that will come under pressure, though, from the fearsome pace of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akthar. Akram registered two consecutive hat-tricks in the Asian Test Championship and claimed three wickets in the space of five balls in the inaugural match of the triangular series helping the team record a dramatic win over the Lankans.

Pakistan do not have Saqlain in their ranks, but with Arshad Khan and Shahid Afridi in the ranks, are well enough served as far as support bowling is concerned.

One area where the hosts will have to pull their socks is fielding, which has let the team down times without number. ''Fielding has been our grey area and improvement is desperately needed. What is more important is to get acts in all department of the game together,'' admitted Azhar, who has been in news for his man-management failure and apathetic body language on the field.

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad discounted that the defeats in the Chennai and Calcutta Tests would have any psychological bearing on players while taking on Pakistan. ''They are all professionals and have already put the bad days behind. I am happy with the way our boys have started and am looking forward to better deeds from them,'' said Gaekwad.

On the other hand, the Pakistan team's morale seemed to be sky-high after their triumph in the first ever ATC and a thrilling finish against the Lankans the other day.

Akram expressed some concern about the inconsistency of his middle order, but hoped his batsmen would play to their potential on what looks like a flat, placid batting track.

''We will certainly miss Saqlain, but Pakistan have enough fire-power to beat India,'' team coach Javed Miandad said.

The Indian coach and captain seemed reluctant to experiment against Pakistan, and are liable to go with the same eleven that played against Lanka in Nagpur. Both sides will announce their playing eleven only on the morrow after inspecting the track and weather conditions.

UNI