Ganguly appeals for calm

Ganguly appeals for calm

By Martin Gough
BBC Sport in South Africa

Ganguly is ignoring the political aspect of the game

India captain Sourav Ganguly is to meet his Pakistan counterpart Waqar Younis before Saturday's World Cup match between the countries to ensure tempers do not spill over the boundary.

As well as the current military and political tensions between the two countries, there is a history of on-field frayed tempers between the two sides.

"We have to be very careful not to be emotional on the field as that can be carried on," Ganguly said.

"We will play hard but we have to be careful."

Ganguly claimed the side would not be over-awed by the much-hyped meeting, the first between the sides for almost three years.

"There are millions of fans but we've got to accept that and get along," he said.

I don't want to look at the political side - it's just another game

Sourav Ganguly

"If we think about that there will be too much pressure - we are here to win the World Cup, not just to beat Pakistan.

"I don't want to look at the political side. Just like playing Australia or South Africa it's just another game and we're approaching it in the same frame of mind."

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid claimed the greatest importance of the match was its significance for the rest of the tournament.

"It is an eight-point game - we would get four points for a win and take four points through to the Super Six," he explained.

"A lot of the hype is created by the media and the fans but it's the same game. The ball doesn't change, there are still 22 men and it's played over 22 yards."