By Amjid Javed
September 11 2004

A short preview of Tuesdays opening match for Pakistan in the ICC Tournament, against Kenya. The match is to be played at Edgbaston and whilst Pakistan are clear favourites, they should not be complacent. Pakistan start their challenge for the ICC trophy on Tuesday the 14th at Edgbaston. Pakistan goes into the game as huge favorites to win the game. The ICC trophy now represents the 3rd ODI tournament that Pakistan has played under Bob Woolmer and the improvement of the side which has occurred in the 1st two tournaments played under Bob Woolmer is expected to be continued here.
Pakistan has met Kenya on four previous occasions and won all 4 games. But Kenya are a decent side, they reached the World Cup semi finals off the 2003 World Cup. Kenya also maybe seen as a minnow in world cricketing terms but they already have a few big scalps and all those are from the sub-continent. Kenya has previously beaten India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh down the years and a shock defeat over Pakistan would complete the set. Pakistan must also be wary that they were beaten by Bangladesh in English conditions in 1999, so the Pakistan team must be on their guard and at the top of their game if they are to make the record 5-0 over Kenya.
The Kenyan squad is a mixture of youth and experience. But they are without Collins Obuya and Maurice Odumbe, two of the key figures in their World Cup adventure. Veteran all-rounder Odumbe is serving a five-year ban for receiving money from a bookmaker, so they will rely heavily on the likes of skipper Steve Tikolo, Ravindu Shah, the Suji brothers and Thomas Odoyo. In the youth ranks, Kenya have young promising medium pace seam bowler Ragheb Aga of whom a lot is expected.
The Pakistan team is also a mixture of youth and experience, but is also a team which has 2 or 3 exciting all rounders. Experienced campaigners Inzamam ul Haq and Yousaf Youhana will provide the main threat with the bat. Inzamam ul Haq will also be looking to become only the 2nd ever batsmen to pass 10,000 ODI runs. Inzi is currently 23 runs short of the landmark. But there is a lot more batting in Pakistan than just Inzi and Youhana, there is the ever improving Shoaib Malik and stylish opener Yasir Hameed will also be expected to get runs.
In the all rounders department the explosive Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi will be utilized to add the fireworks with the bat and steadiness with the ball. Finally Pakistan has an exciting if unpredictable bowling attack. Sheer pace will be provided by Muhammad Sami and Shoaib Akthar. Seam and swing element off the game will be brought to the table by Rana Naveed and possibly Azhar Mahmood. A lot will depend on Pakistans bowlers in ideal bowling conditions.
It’s a game on paper which Pakistan should win. But cricket is played on grass.
Prediction à Pakistan will win if they play to there potential