BANGALORE, India, April 2 (AFP) - The prospect of erasing a World Cup nightmare will inspire Wasim Akram when he leads Pakistan into battle against arch-rivals India in the tri-nation series final here on Sunday.
It was at the same venue three years ago that Akram was vilified by his countrymen for opting out at the last minute of the World Cup quarter-final against India, which the hosts won.
Akram's home in Lahore was stoned and angry MPs demanded his head, accusing the allrounder of selling his country's interests to bookmakers.
Akram, whose plea that a groin injury would have prevented him from giving his best was ignored, is determined to wipe the slate clean as he returns to this southern Indian city to redeem his honour.
''Being unfairly accused by my own people was just horrible,'' Akram said. ''I will not wish such fate to befall even my enemies.
''I have tried very hard to forget those days, but it's not easy. People forget it's a sport, we get too emotional about it.''
The 32-year-old is riding a wave of success, leading Pakistan to victories in two of the three Test matches on the current Indian tour. Under him Pakistan also won the inaugural Asian Test championship and three of the four tri-series matches.
But Akram knows those achievements will pale if Pakistan fail to defeat India in the day-night final at the Chinnaswany stadium on Sunday.
''Unfortunately our fans remember only the defeats, not how much we have won,'' he said. ''You just cannot afford to lose, especially against India.''
The wheel appears to have turned a full circle as it is now Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin's turn now to overcome injury worries.
Azharuddin withdrew from the last two matches of the one-day series because of a shoulder injury and was unsure whether he will be able to play on Sunday.
Indian selectors named Hrisikesh Kanitkar as a stand-by for the final in case the captain declared himself unfit, although cricket board secretary Jaywant Lele said Azharuddin would play.
With master batsman Sachin Tendulkar still nursing a back injury, Azharuddin's presence is vital for the Indians, who lost both their league matches against Pakistan.
India have recalled all their top stars, barring Tendulkar, for the final after experimenting with fringe players ahead of the World Cup selection on Monday.
The selectors are awaiting word from Tendulkar about his availability for next week's Champions Cup in Sharjah featuring England, India and Pakistan.
Tendulkar, who suffered back spasms during the first Test against Pakistan in February, has begun light training with his Bombay team-mates, but remained uncertain about playing in Sharjah.
''I will have to see how I feel after practicing for a few days,'' Tendulkar said. ''I intend to inform the board about Sharjah in a few days.''
Teams for Sunday's final:
India (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (capt, subject to fitness), Saurav Ganguly, Sadagopan Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Amay Khurasia, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad, Nikhil Chopra, Gyanendra Pandey, Hrishikesh Kanitkar (stand-by for Azharuddin).
Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (capt), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul Haq, Imran Nazir, Yousuf Youhanna, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Nazir, Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzak, Arshad Khan |
