'Tendulkar could be the decisive factor'

In the second part of an exclusive interview the debonair former Pakistan captain, Imran Khan talks on the resurgence of the mercurial Shoaib Akhtar and the likely batting stars.

Gaurav Kalra: You are watching LoC on CNN-IBN with our very special guest Imran Khan. In the first part we had asked Imran Khan about the Indian seamers but it is clear that the Pakistan team will rely heavily on their most potent weapon. We will now ask Imran Khan if Shoaib Akhtar will rattle the top order of India?

Imran Khan: Well in cricket there is no greater sight than watching a fast bowler ruining in to bowl and then the stumps going all over the place.

Gaurav Kalra: I remember just after the England series that Shoaib did a very famous interview in which he said, “I spoke to Imran Khan and he was the one who encouraged me to go out and give my best.” What were your words to him?

Imran Khan: I don’t remember, but I spoke to him a bit. You see the thing is that what you must understand that in world cricket there are three bowlers who bowl over 90 miles per hour. If you can have air speed, which is what Shoaib has then basically it is just a question of getting it right because anyone who bowls over 90 miles per hour is going to trouble batsmen and can win you matches. I thought Shoaib has got really poor treatment by Pakistan cricket. I though they did not know how to handle him. I mean you don’t exclude players because they have injury or you can’t handle them. It is a management failure for me.

Gaurav Kalra: I accept relationship with Inzamam was the point of discussion. We remember those famous pictures in Pakistan the last time when Shoaib was batting and hitting quite carelessly as Inzamam in fact indicated at a press conference later on. Inzamam was walking around the dressing room quite disturbed. That relationship seems to have sorted itself out?

Imran Khan: Well, the reason is that Inzamam is performing. He is leading from the front and he is commanding the respect of the team. When India came the last time, Inzamam had just become the captain. He did not understand captaincy and he was tentative. In fact the coach was overwhelming and you know they had prepared flat wickets. Then they made India bat so the whole approach was negative. Since then Inzamam has grown in stature. He has performed, he has led from the front and he has played critical innings for the team when the team needed it. And so the whole team has gelled under him and so has Shoaib.

Gaurav Kalra: Now Imran, if Shoaib will be a major factor you can be rest assured that the biggest stumbling block for team India bowlers is the gentleman by the name of Inzamam-ul-Haq? The big question that we are now asking Imran is can India find a way to contain the mighty Inzamam? You said this in 1992 that he is a match winner. These are the things that are coming just now. But you know what this man was about way back in 1992 didn’t you?

Imran Khan: You know we were preparing for the World Cup of 1992 and we had problems in our bating. So I was thinking how to solve this problem and I invited a lot of young cricketers, five to five of them who we thought were good enough and who might fill this gap and one of than was Inzamam. I watched him for five minutes in the nets. Wasim and Waqar bowled to him and I told him that he would play next year’s World Cup. It’s simply that the talent he has. I mean it is after Vivian Richards he is second best player, batsman in terms of time against fast bowling. When you watch him bat, you can see that he has the time, you know the way he plays fast bowling of the front and the backfoot it is just sheer talent. Now I do not think Inzamam has really done justice to that talent.

Gaurav Kalra: Up until now.

Imran Khan: Until he became the captain.

Gaurav Kalra: Right

Imran Khan: You see what happened was that to Inzamam, it cames so easy to him he never stretched himself. He only used to tap bits of his talent. But since he became the captain and lost the Indian series, he came under pressure and criticism. I think this talent started coming out and he stretched himself. He extended himself and what I saw of him playing against England in the last series I am afraid he looked a class above anyone in both the teams.

Gaurav Kalra: Quickly Imran, if I could just get in for 10 seconds on this. How scared should India be of the Inzamam factor?

Imran Khan: If the wickets are batting wickets what most of the subcontinent wickets are I think unless someone swings the ball like Irfan Pathan did on the last series it is going to be very difficult to go past him.

Gaurav Kalra: Imran, the other great batsman is Sachin Tendulkar and we should talk about him. Right now we have discussed all the issues that are likely to impact the series. But here is one man who can make a huge difference on Team India’s fortune and if he fires Pakistan must better match out. The big question will be, will Sachin Tendulkar be a factor? He got to his 35th Test centuries. Once a player gets there should he free himself up like Tendulkar and play to entertain?

Imran Khan: See, I don’t think so. I think Sachin is going to be more dangerous from Pakistan’s point of view if he uses his experience. The amount of time that he spends on the wicket and actually helps India build up totals so that the Indian bowlers could bowl Pakistan out twice, that’s when he will be at his most dangerous. From Pakistan’s point of view if he starts playing shots he is going to give the bowlers a chance to get him out.

Gaurav Kalra: How much of a factor is he going to be?

Imran Khan: I think anyone with that record has to be a factor.

Gaurav Kalra: And how much of a factor?

Imran Khan: It could de decisive because he can play both types of innings. He can occupy the crease and also play stokes both sides of the wicket. So anyone who can do that has to be a factor.

Gaurav Kalra: There we are. Imran Khan is obviously a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. Thanks very much for coming on the show.