SPORTS EDGE

Cricket
Star Cricket Asia CupIndo-Pak Clash Today
Pathan returns
Afp, Karachi

All-rounder Irfan Pathan returns to India's squad for their crunch match on Wednesday against archrivals Pakistan here, with the hosts in a must-win situation in the Super League Asia Cup encounter.The 23-year-old Pathan missed the start of the tournament with a side strain but coach Gary Kirsten said he has regained full fitness."Irfan is fine and available for selection," said the India coach.He said the team had enjoyed their three-day rest after playing several matches in close succession."It was very important to give the guys some time off the cricket, so we did it, now the guys are back and focusing for the next two games," said Kirsten.India, who have four points after carrying over two points from the first round, need to beat Pakistan to set up a repeat of the 2004 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka, who beat India four years ago, qualified for the July 6 final with a comprehensive 158-run win over Bangladesh on Monday.Kirsten said he hoped his team would be up to the challenge of winning the Cup."Sri Lanka are playing good cricket, they are a very well organised side. They have got a good balanced team and like Pakistan they're also going to be a tough opponent, we are also playing good cricket."Kirsten said India have ideas on how to stop the flow of runs on the flat National Stadium pitch against Pakistan."Most of the sides have made big scores in the tournament, but we have come up with a couple of ideas on what we're going to do and have spent some time with the bowlers," said Kirsten, a former South African opener."We believe in these bowlers, they're the same bowlers who did exceptionally well in Australia," he said.India showed their one-day credentials by beating Australia in their own backyard in a tri-series earlier this year. However they lost to Pakistan in the final of another tri-series in Dhaka last month.Pakistan need not only to win their matches against India and, on Friday, against Bangladesh, but must also hope other results go their way.The home team are further sweating on the fitness of captain Shoaib Malik, who suffered dehydration after his team's 64-run defeat against Sri Lanka on Sunday.Team manager Talat Ali however said he hoped Malik, who was put on a drip after the match, would take the field on Wednesday."It is a crucial match for us on Wednesday, so we hope Malik gets fit. At the moment he does feel weakness but I am hopeful that he will play," said Ali.