Pakistan is one of the sub-continental teams in this series. Boasting on the reviews of being the most talented side in cricket today Pakistan has certainly not lived upto it's true potential in the recent past. With Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram out with injuries the Pakis will hope that their youngsters will pull them through with this challenge. Certainly Wasim and Saeed are two world class performers whose absence will dearly disappoint the viewers. Sharjah has been a run-heaven for Saeed, he has scored none less than 7 centuries at the ground. While Wasim the only man with 400 ODI wickets has both his hat-tricks at Sharjah. Without them and shadows over Saqlain's availability has surely depleted the Pakistani bowling attack. They will rely heavily on the services of Razzaq, Shoaib, Afridi, Inzamam and the young guns to conquer this steep task. With a new captain in Moin Khan and a re-instated coach in Miandad, Pakistan will have to dig deep to come out of this one.
India the second team from South Asia has also not been trouble free. Dismal performances in the World Cup and in the C&U series led to the resignation of Tendulkar as captain. Ganguly has taken over the reigns of captaincy and experienced campaigners like Azharuddin and Jadeja have also made a come back. During the home series against South Africa India seem to have gotten back together. They chased a huge total of 301 successfully and managed to beat their opponents in the second match as well. Their recent form predicts a close encounter with rest of the two. I just have one doubt and that is India's poor record on foreign soil. I hope Ganguly can inspire the Indians to do well not only at home but abroad as well.
Last but not the least the wallabies are the third team in this year's edition of Sharjah trophy. The South Africans are surely the team to beat this year and the once to put your money on. They are perhaps second to only the Australians. They have the talent of players like Jacques Kallis, Cronje and Allan Donald. Their gritty players Gary Kirsten and Mark Boucher are great players in the making. Their new found talent in Richard Turbrudge and Nickie Boje helped them to beat the Indians in the recent test series.
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