Pakistan step off gas ahead of Zimbabwe clash

BRISBANE: After two days of intense training, Pakistan stepped off the gas a bit here on Thursday ahead of their must-win Pool B game against Zimbabwe on Sunday.
While on Tuesday and Wednesday, Pakistani players were seen sweating it out with their coaches and trainers, Thursday was markedly different.
The intensity was visibly low even though the players carried out regular training sessions with their coaches at the Alan Border Field formerly known as Neumann Oval.
And it is expected that Pakistan will resort to an even lighter training regime on Friday (today) and Saturday.
The idea, according to a team official, was to systematically slow down the pace so that the players are full of energy for their match against Zimbabwe.
With their backs against the wall following losses against India and West Indies, Pakistan are treating what in normal circumstances would have been a less significant game against Zimbabwe like a knockout match.
With teams like India, South Africa, Wst Indies and even Ireland way ahead in the race, another loss for Pakistan will virtually finish Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, the one positive thing which was noticed during on-field training was that there weren’t even the slightest signs of friction between the players and their fielding coach Grant Luden.
The South African coach had threatened to quit after a dispute with some of the players but it seems that the two parties have amicably resolved their differences.
In the past, some of the Pakistani players were unhappy with Luden’s demanding fielding drills. Their lack of response forced Luden to tell the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) he would quit over the non-serious attitude of the players.
However, the Board managed to convinced Luden to stay on at least till his contract expires next year.
According to sources, even the players who were resenting Luden’s regimental routine were now willingly working under him.
“The issue has been resolved mutually by both the parties,” a source said. “Mainly, the players have acknowledged they were wrong. And it all happened after a series of fielding lapses against India and West Indies. Now the players are working harder to avoid similar mishaps in the coming matches,” the source added.