Azharuddin clarifies about Test Championship status (15 February 1999)

15 February 1999

Azharuddin clarifies about Test Championship status

Samiul Hasan

CALCUTTA, Feb 14: Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has dispelled impressions that the Asian Test Championship match starting here from Tuesday would be a series decider.

"The forthcoming match has nothing to do with the just-concluded series. Here we will be playing for a different cause. As far as we are concerned, the series finished at New Delhi," the Indian captain told reporters at the Eden Gardens after a training session.

The two-Test series concluded in New Delhi with India winning the last Test by 212 runs. Pakistan had taken the initial lead after their 12-run victory at Chennai.

"Don't ever think that this match is going to be part of the series," stressed Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad.

Gaekwad dismissed claims that the egos were involved in the match after both the teams won a Test each. ""What egos? I think it has been portrayed like that the egos are involved. We want to play good game and keep it that way. Why should we make the match (Test Championship) as part of the series."

Gaekwad said the approach of the players would be totally changed in this game. "There are batting and bowling points and the players would be playing with a different frame of mind. The players would be looking for runs and wickets because there are points for both."

Gaekwad admitted that with the batting and bowling points to be awarded for the first 100 overs of the first innings, that could have a big impact on the approach of the players. "The approach might not change from the very beginning. When you come close to that target, you definitely like to achieve it and for that you even use the long handle."

Azharuddin said: ""It was the same system in the Ranji Trophy four or five years ago. So, I don't think there is going to be any problems for the players."

However, Azharuddin was doubftul if the points system was ideal for the tournament. "I think, after we play the first match, we will know if the system is correct or not. It is always very difficult to say before the start of the event that the format or the playing conditions were ideal. On paper, the points system looks great but we will have to wait and see."

Gaekwad said though none of the three captains or the coaches were consulted while finalizing the playing conditions, but he felt that they could be the best as they were prepared by former Test players. ""The three members of that committee have played cricket and know everything about the sport. So I have reasons to believe that it was the best points system."

Asked if team selection would be affected with the introduction of points system keeping in mind that the innings might turn into a one-dayer at a stage, Gaekwad said: ""I don't think we have much of a choice here. Whatever side we have, is the best suited."

Azharuddin, while replying to a question if it was the best time to play Asian Test Championship with the World Cup just round the corner, said it was a good stepping stone for the World Test Championship. "If everything goes well here, we could see the World Test Championship in the near future."

The Indian captain said it was a good idea to have Test matches played on neutral grounds like Dhaka. "Dhaka have shown that they can hold big events. Then it is going to be Test cricket which will flourish in Bangladesh.

""It's good for the game that two neutral umpires would be supervising the Asian Test Championship games. Last time we played with both neutral umpires was in 1989 in Pakistan and I think it was a good experience.

"But it is for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide if it wants to appoint both the neutral umpires for the Tests involving India and Pakistan. I don't make policy decisions but still feel that the ICC should do what they feel is correct."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)