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Pak at wits’ end to field fit players Same India XI likely

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Pak at wits’ end to field fit players - It won’t surprise if Shoaib plays today; Same India XI likely

Calcutta: Everything about this Pakistan team is fluid and unstable. Be it form or fitness, everything seems to be undergoing prodigious changes on this tour. And no one seems to have any control over the circumstances. A team which is one down in the series is struggling to put up 11 fit players for the second Test. Captain Shoaib Malik, who has been nursing a troubled ankle, is still limping and feeling the pain. It is highly unlikely that he will lead the side on Friday. Vice-captain Younis Khan will step in if Malik fails to make it. The last time he did so against India was in Karachi 2006 and Pakistan won handsomely. The update on Shoaib Akhtar is not encouraging either. He did not venture out of his hotel room on Thursday. “He’s recovering… Let’s see how he shapes up,†is the official version. The weakness, following a viral fever, still persists, but Shoaib might just spring a surprise on the morning of the Test. An appearance, no doubt, will boost the team’s sagging morale. Such miracles often turn the tide in the underdogs’ favour. Pakistan suffered a fresh blow when the team management decided to send back Umar Gul. The fast bowler, who missed the first Test with a back strain, looked fine on Wednesday but broke down again. He woke up with a stiff back and the pain forced them not to take any chance. Mohammed Sami is the latest to have contracted an infection and fingers are crossed on his participation. Misbah-ul Haq’s recovery has been the only bright spot. As things stand, only Sohail Tanveer and Danish Kaneria are available among the first-choice bowlers. Yasir Arafat received an SOS, but will only reach the city early on Friday morning from Dubai. Whether the allrounder, who performed well for Kent in the County Championship this season, will feature in the XI is anybody’s guess. There was a move to fly in Rao Iftikhar Anjum, who played the one-dayers, but his visa couldn’t be arranged in such a short time. The Indians are not reading much into the Pakistanis’ problems. The focus is on making the most of the opportunities and sealing the series here itself. Anil Kumble said as much at the match-eve media conference. The pitch has been to the Indians’ liking and they are likely to retain the XI that played in the first Test. The cracks on the newly-laid wicket are likely to widen as the match progresses. The ball may turn more than it usually does at the Eden. The captain calling correctly should be batting first. The first session, as always, will hold the key as the early start and the moisture will help the ball move around. The Indians have many fond memories from the last time they played here against Pakistan. Kumble and Harbhajan Singh had rocked their boat in the second innings and Rahul Dravid scored centuries in both innings as India won comfortably. Perhaps Kumble could inspire a series-winning show from his men this time. TEAMS India (likely): Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel Pakistan (from): Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Mohammed Yousuf, Misbah-ul Haq, Shoaib Malik, Yasir Arafat, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanveer, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Sami, Danish Kaneria, Abdur Rehman Umpires: Rudi Koertzen, Billy Doctrove. TV: Amish Saheba Match starts: 9am

WICKET Anil Kumble (India captain): Decent and should play well Shoaib Malik (Pakistan captain): Good batting track… Will turn later Daljit Singh (BCCI grounds and pitches committee chairman): The wicket will initially help the pacers but later on the ball may become a bit slow… Kalyan Mitra (Curator): I’ve done my best and you will see how the wicket behaves once the match starts CAPACITY Total: 88000 CAB’s expectations: Not a full house. Around 50,000 will be good enough WEATHER Met forecast: Morning mist, later partly cloudy sky RESTRICTIONS All concerned should enter at least an hour earlier to go through a three-tier security ring Spectators who decide to leave the stadium during the tea break will not be allowed back inside. No re-entry passes will be issued after tea No bags can be carried inside. Water bottles and food will also be not allowed Every individual will be photographed, screened and frisked before entry Mobile communication will get affected because of the modern electronic security gadgets http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071130/asp/sports/story_8610748.asp

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