Fighting words Wasim questions Australia's mental toughness Click here for more on this story Posted: Saturday June 19, 1999 01:54 PM   No worries: Wasim Akram believes Australia hasn't recovered from two close matches with South Africa. Laurence Griffiths/Allsport LONDON (AP) -- Rival captains traded words in pre-final psychological warfare, but Wasim Akram delivered the first major punch, declaring that Pakistan would be mentally stronger than a battled-scarred Australia in Sunday's World Cup final at Lord's. Wasim said his callow young side with a collection of raw but volatile talent was the best team he has ever played with. What the Pakistan side has had to go through over the last couple of years "has made us tougher than any opposition in the world," said Wasim, leading a team embattled by recent allegations of ball-tampering and match rigging. "We have stuck together and qualified for the final and we are now just one match away from winning the trophy," he said. "I think we are mentally tougher than them," Wasim said. While this is only the second World Cup final for the 1992 champion Pakistan, Australia has been there three times -- 1975, 1987 when it won the cup and 1996. Skipper Steve Waugh epitomizes Australia's professionalism and has led his team in two narrow wins over South Africa to make it to the final. Australia snuck its way into the 1996 final in a similar way after beating New Zealand in the quarterfinal and the West Indies in the semifinal. However, it lost the final to Sri Lanka by seven wickets in a one-sided match. "The Australians must be tired mentally and physically, because winning and winning like that, it has been a lot of stress," Wasim said. But Pakistan itself has blown hot and cold, stamping itself as world beaters one day and easy to beat in the next match throughout the tournament, in which it has six wins to three losses. "Pakistan are the sort of side that can be brilliant one moment and not so good the next. They're a tough side to play against because you never know what you're going to get," Waugh said. He said the team's confidence is high after stringing together five wins and a tie in six games. Waugh said he hopes to be inspired by South Africa's 13-0 record against Pakistan in their last 13 meetings. "It figures that the way South Africa play Pakistan must be a good way, and, if we can put some of those plans into practice, we'll have a good chance of winning. "We're playing an excellent side, and it's probably the biggest game of cricket we will ever play," said Waugh, 34, probably playing his last World Cup. Waugh said Shane Warne will trouble the Pakistan batsmen as the ace leg-spinner rediscovered his lost form against South Africa in two matches. Warne, partially written off for his early tournament bowling form, took 2-33 and 4-29 in his last two outings. Australia is expected to make one change to the side that tied the semifinal against South Africa: batsman Damien Martyn to replace the out-of-form Darren Lehmann, who returned to the side from a finger injury. Wasim felt his side might have a slight edge because Australia lacks a quality fifth bowler while Pakistan has the advantage of a youthful side. While Imran Khan won the '92 cup with luminaries like Javed Miandad and Abdul Qadir, Wasim will turn to the likes of rookies Abdur Razzaq, Wajahatullah Wasti, Azhar Mahmood and Shoaib Akhtar to supplement the experienced hands of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan and Ijaz Ahmed. "Look who's brought us to the final," Wasim said. "I don't think the seniors have done a great deal in this tournament. Saeed [Anwar] came good in the last two matches, [but] it's been the younger players all the way," Wasim said. He has nurtured his young side into a combination envied by most as Pakistan continue to spring surprises harnessing young talent. All-rounder Razzaq, a son of a shopkeeper, has been the find of the tournament while Mahmood has rekindled his bowling form in the nick of time. "I remember back in 1992 I personally wasn't that sure we were going to win it," Wasim recalled. "But I'm more confident about Sunday because the team we have now is one of the best sides I've ever played in." "We will see who the best side is on Sunday because both sides are equally equipped with bowlers and batsmen," Wasim said. Australia Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh (captain), Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Paul Reiffel and Glenn McGrath. Pakistan Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdur Razzaq, Shahid Afridi or Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar. Umpires: David Shepherd, England and Steve Bucknor, West Indies. Television Umpire: Srini Venkataraghavan. Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle, Sri Lanka.   Related information Stories Australia looks forward to final after thriller Cricket fan PM full of praise after Aussie advance Pakistan thrashes New Zealand by nine wickets Australia advances, World Cup semi ends in tie Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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