Dhoni For Pillion

This 1-4 defeat in the series should not take away from the progress the Pakistan team has made under Inzamam-ul-Haq in the past year. It was our first series defeat in a year and I don’t think that should either take away from the development of the side or be seen as a major setback in our preparation for the World Cup in the West Indies next year. We have gained from each series and know we can move forward.

After a none-too-happy showing since the World Cup 2003, India started doing well earlier this season and capped its recent run with a fine effort in Pakistan. Even though its bowling is not as strong as our full-strength combination, India has the batting to run up big scores, as it showed in each of the four games that it won.

Even though Australia remains the side to beat, it is a beatable team indeed. Most sides playing Australia lose in the team hotel itself, well before they reach the ground. I believe that both Pakistan and India have it in them to compete with Australia, which crumbles under sustained pressure. Don’t be surprised if either Pakistan or India pulls the rug from under Australia’s feet at the World Cup next year.

I have often been asked about the role of the coaches in our development. At the outset, let me say that you can’t take away the fact that the basic skills are there among the Pakistan and Indian cricketers. Look at Pakistan’s quick bowlers, for example. We swing the cricket ball at extreme pace and have the ability to run through a batting line-up in the span of a few overs. We have worked on and found bowling partnerships. Mohammed Asif’s onset, with his accuracy and movement, has made my job easier. Having said that, I must admit we have used the new ideas that the coaches come with for our betterment. We are aware that there is always room for improvement.

Allow me to digress from cricket conversations for a bit. A lot has been said or written about beamers, sledging and what have you. What doesn’t usually get written or talked about is the fact that while we may be intense competitors on the cricket field, off the field, we are great friends with some Indian players. Of course, when the Indian team formally attended the inauguration of Inzamam-ul-Haq’s hospital in Multan, the media did take note of that fact. But it really has no idea how close Pakistani and Indian cricketers really are.

Yuvraj Singh is a lovely guy and the best to go out with. He is a match-winner for India and like a younger brother to me, a wonderful friend to have. I’ve always prayed for his success—except when he is playing against us. In fact, I called him up several times when India was playing Sri Lanka and South Africa to wish him luck. With his lovely sense of humour, Harbhajan Singh is another Indian cricketer who is great fun to be with. I guess their being Punjabi is a key factor in our getting along so well. Sachin Tendulkar will be a good one to befriend but he does give the impression that he is all about cricket. It would be wonderful to be able to get close to the man. But I must admit that neither of us has made the effort to get to know each other. He is a bit like the south Indians—Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman—whose focus on cricket is extremely sharp. Someday, I am sure that I will be able to get close to Sachin and discuss cricket extensively with him.

There are some exciting new blokes in the Indian team. I have just about begun to know the flamboyant Dhoni. It is a regret, though, that I did not get to show my bike to Dhoni and accede to his request to let him ride it. We really didn’t have the time when the teams returned to Lahore for the one-day game. I am sure that on his next trip to Pakistan, I will be able to make amends. Until then, I shall keep tracking his and the Indian team’s exploits on the field.