The shadow of terror keeps chasing Pakistan's cricketers, even on the domestic front. Deprived of international cricket due to the reluctance of international outfits to tour the country, the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) team now finds itself taking on Delhi in the Mohammad Nissar Trophy at the Ferozeshah Kotla from Monday in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's unnerving serial blasts.
The security situation is still tense, but the police is breathing easy since domestic events are low on the public radar. Pakistan's players, however, seem resigned to the fact that the game must go on in these uncertain times.
Misbah-ul Haq, one of only three internationals in the SNGPL squad led by Mohammad Hafeez, said as much on Sunday: "We are used to it. If everyone refuses to play there will be no cricket. The game suffers. The charm goes. Hamara farz hai ki khelte rahe. The Champions Trophy was the last hope but now our national team is short of practice."
For security agencies and DDCA officials, the four-day affair between India and Pakistan's first-class champions is a precursor to the India-Australia Test scheduled from October 29, in which arrangements need to be foolproof. "We have asked for extra security for tomorrow and even for the Australia game, but the festival season might make deployment of additional forces difficult during October-Novmber," said a DDCA official. ACP Ishwar Singh said, "We are alert and ready, but I don't think we need too many extra policemen for a domestic game."
The tournament itself is in its third edition and first-time Quaid-e-Azam winners SNGPL will have their task cut out trying to wrest the Trophy back from India's Ranji champions. They have a squad thin on experience, but as Hafeez said, "We don't have stars but it's a talented young squad. Delhi are very strong and we will know where we stand."
Apart from Kolkata Knight Riders' Hafeez and Misbah, the squad has left-arm pacer Samiullah Khan, the side's highest wicket-taker, and pacers Imran Ali and Asad Ali. Then there are wicketkeeeper Kamran Akmal's younger brothers, Adnan and Umar, with the latter notching up 855 runs from nine games last season. Umar, along with Adil Raza, was part of the U-19 World Cup squad.
Delhi, though, boast as many as seven players with international experience and are expected to follow UP and Mumbai in making small work of their opponents. "Sehwag is expected to return from his ankle injury, Ishant Sharma is fit, and Nehra's comeback is very good news for us. Aakash Chopra is in good form. It's a nice way to get into the groove before the Irani Trophy game against Rest of India (starting Sept 24)," said Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya.
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