What will be Pakistan's strategy against India if and when the two cricketing giants from this sub-continent clash in the World Cup commencing in England on May 14?

Glimpses of the Pakistani strategy were revealed when the aggressive-yet-dashing Pakistani skipper, Wasim Akram, and his wife Huma, appeared in chat show on a television channel the other day. Akram has identified the Indian team's weakness in placing too much reliance on Sachin Tendulkar as far as the batting is concerned. If Sachin's wicket can be claimed, the whole Indian team can be bowled out, says Akram. So, it is the Pakistani strategy to go for Sachin's wicket. Throw all the firepower into getting the little-master out. And, then, snare the rest of the Indian batsmen one by one.

Of course, India and Pakistan are in separate groups at the league stage, but will most likely clash at the super-league stage.

The ace Pakistani bowler agrees that Sachin is among the top-most batsmen in the world, in the same league as Brian Lara of West Indies, Mark Waugh of Australia and Saeed Anwar of Pakistan. He denies that he is scared of bowling to Sachin and contends that he enjoys bowling to a good batsman who is competitive.

When reminded of the first time Akram had bowled to Sachin, when the latter was just about fourteen years old, and the fast bowler had used three bouncers in the over, Akram said that at that level of the game no quarter was given in consideration of the age of the batsman who would most likely hit the ball to the ropes if given a chance. And, Akram was also just 22-years-old at that time.

Akram admits frankly that sledging and competitiveness is part of the game. Comments are made by the bowler to rattle or agitate the batsman. The hotheaded batsmen make a false stroke and get out while the cool customers take it in their stride and continue with their normal batting.

Akram agrees that there is something very special about an India-Pakistan match. Of course, Wasim could not repeat on television the language that he uses to pump up his players. But he revealed that he tells his boys to win at all cost. He says that the body language of the captain and of the team is very important to dominate the opposite side.

Akram admits that if the team loses against India, no player wishes to go back home, fearful of the reception he would get. He admits that before an India-Pakistan match, players in both teams are nervous, which is a good sign as it gets the adrenaline moving. He adds with a twinkle in his eye that now that the India-Pakistan matches are more frequent, the nervousness is much less.

Akram is sad and disappointed over the match-fixing charges levelled at him without an iota of proof. He admits that he was mentally and physically affected by the charges that hurt him. He pointed out that he had given a 100 percent to the game and to the country, but still was made the scapegoat. He had decided to quit the game. But his wife Huma and the family stood by him and motivated him and he made a comeback.

Akram says that as a captain he must take decisions. Some decisions come off right and some do not. That does not mean that he is guilty of match fixing, just because he changed a batting order or a field placement.

Wife Huma, a qualified psychotherapist and an extremely articulate professional, says that Wasim is a fighter and it is in his character to make a comeback. She has also helped players, including Saqlain Mushtaq, with her advice, which has brought results.

Akram believes that the game of cricket is contributing to building friendly relations between India and Pakistan. He says with emphasis that the people in both countries are now tired of being adversaries and would now like to work together. If the two countries pool their talents, says Akram, they will be a force to reckon with on the world stage.

During the show, Akram came across as a harmless, diffident, young man, so different from the charging bundle of bone and muscle who sends shivers down the spines of batsmen when he roars "Howzzat". As Huma said, even she did not believe that Akram was so aggressive on the field till she saw him playing.

The one regret that Wasim Akram has is that he did not concentrate enough on his batting, which he should have. But now it is too late, for he comes to bat down the order and swings his bat at everything. If it connects well and good, if it does not, back to the pavilion.

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