da dobrowin： Friday’s opening encounter between former world championsSri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the three-nation Sharjah Cup willbe played under the umbrella of the most strict securityarrangements ever deployed in almost twodecade history ofmatches organized
Rehan Siddiqui26-Oct-2001Friday’s opening encounter between former world championsSri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the three-nation Sharjah Cup willbe played under the umbrella of the most strict securityarrangements ever deployed in almost twodecade history ofmatches organized by the Cricketers Benefit Fund Series(CBFS). Pakistan are the other team in the competition.Security personnel have been doubled with scores of plainclothed men attached with all three teams. Hotels where theplayers are staying are virtually out of bounds for anyoneand everyone including media.The players and the officials are not returning telephonecalls. Even the photographers of the local newspapers havebeen “unofficially barred” to cover the practice sessions bythe security personnel under the pretext of players safetymaking the job of newsmen a difficult one. Perhaps thesecurity cordon will be eased as the tournament getsunderway.Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Anti-Corruption Unit are here in an attempt to justify theirexistence to find out villains of match-fixing and briberyscandal that sullied the image of what was once consideredto be the game of gentlemen.However, everybody feels the ACU are here for a joyride andwill return empty-handed.Under such conditions with security conscious atmosphere aswell as the absence of India-Pakistan matches cricket buffshere believe a low key tournament lacking the passion andintensity associated with past CBFS events.And with due respect to Zimbabwe pundits have taken forgranted a repeat of early this year’s final between SriLanka and Pakistan. When the two former world champions metin April this year Sri Lanka whipped Pakistan after beingbeaten in the two league clashes.Coming to Friday’s clash barring one of those freak resultsthat arouse suspicion of foul play Sri Lanka should walk allover a thoroughly demoralised Zimbabwe, still nursing woundsfrom that 5-0 thrashing at home inflicted by a not-too-hotEngland and led by leg-spinner Brian Murphy after HeathStreak decided to quit as leadership responsibilities wereaffecting his individual performance.Zimbabwe’s cause in recent months have also not been helpedby a long-list of injuries and frequent changes inleadership. On the contrary Sri Lanka have a settled squadand should steamroll over a team going through one of itsworst patches since taking on the game’s big guns.As expected the strips prepared are full of runs and bowlerscould be in for a torrid time specially in case heat wavewhich is not unusual in this part of the world. Both teamshave no injury problems and will field their strongestlineups for Friday’s match which starts at 3:30pm PakistanStandard Time.Teams (from):Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), AvishkaGunawardena, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, RusselArnold, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, ChamindaVaas, Dilhara Fernando, Kumar Dharmasena, MuttiahMuralitharan, Chamara Silva, Dulip Liyanage, PrabathNissanka, Charitha Buddhika.Zimbabwe: Brian Murphy (captain), Douglas Marillier,Trevor Gripper, Dion Ebrahim, Stuart Carlisle, Andy Flower,Grant Flower, Craig Wishart, Heath Streak, Travis Friend,Gary Brent, Sean Ervine, Mluleki Nkala.ScheduleOct 26: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe.Oct 27: Sri Lanka v Pakistan.Oct 28: Pakistan v Zimbabwe.Oct 29: Rest day.Oct 30: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe.Oct 31: Pakistan v Zimbabwe.Nov 1: Rest day.Nov 2: Sri Lanka v Pakistan.Nov 3: Rest day.Nov 4: Final.